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: The Tale Shakespeare '. 

THE TRAGEDY OF 
JULIUS C^SAR 

EDITED BY 

LAWRENCE MASON 




i<33^ 



NEW HAVEN • YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS 

LONDON • HUMPHREY MILFORD 
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS • MCMXIX 



a c 



Copyright, 1919 
By Yale University Press 



First published, May, 1919. 



AUG 25 1919 



52968 3 






TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PAGE 

The Text ....... 1 

Notes ........ 99 

Appendix A. Sources of the Play . . .112 

Appendix B. The History of the Play . .115 

Appendix C. The Text of the Present Edition 118 
Appendix D. Suggestions for Collateral Reading 119 
Index of Words Glossed . . . .121 



The facsimile opposite represents page two in Mr. 
William A. White's copy of the fifth quarto edition. 
Three copies of this edition are known to survive. 



Dramatis Perform 



Confpirators 
againft 
Cafar. 



MEN. 

JUHus Caefar 
O&avius Csfar 
^Antony 
Brutus 
Caflius 
Caska 
Trebonius 
«{ Ligarius 
Decius Brutus 
Metellus Cimber 
Cinna 
Flavius 
^Murellus 
Artemidorus 
Friends to 5 Meffala 
Brutus. "JTitinius 

Cinna the *Poet 
Lucius Servant 
Brutus 



"} 



Plebe 



ians> 



WOMEN. 



Calphurnia 
Portia 



Mr . Goodman. 
Mr.Terrin. 
Mr. Kynaflon. 
Mr. Betterton. 
Mr. Smith. 
Mr. Griffin. 
Mr. Saunders, 
Mr. Bowman. 
Mr. Williams. 
Mr. Mount fort* 
Mr. Carlijle. 
Mr, Not r is. 
Mr. 

Mr. Ter rival. 
Mr. Wiltfhire. 
Mr. Gillo. 
Mr. Jevon, 

Mr. 

Mr. Underhill. 
Mr. Lee. 
Mr. Bright. 



Md. Slingsbj. 
Mrs. Gw£. 



Jh* 



GUARDS and ATTENDANTS. 



S C E N E, for the Three firftAtfs, and Beginning of the Fourth, 
in Rome * for the Remainder of the Fourth, near Sard is j for 
the Fifth, m the Fields of Philippi. 



Conspirators against Julius 
Ccesar 



[DRAMATIS PERSONS 

Julius Caesar 

Octavius Cjssar, 1 Triumvirs after the Death 

Marcus Antonius, > « , 7 . '„ 

, T tt, T of Julius Ccesar 

M. .ZEmilius LepidusJ ' 

Cicero, 

Publius, > Sector* 

Popilius Lena, J 

Marcus Brutus, 

Caius Cassius, 

Casca, 

Trebonius, 

LlGARIUS, 

Decius Brutus, 
Metellus Cimber, 

ClNNA, 

Flavius and Marullus, Tribunes 

Artemidorus, a Sophist of Cnidos 

A Soothsayer 

Cinna, a Poet 

Another Poet 

Lucilius, 

Titinius, 

Messala, 

Young Cato, 

Volumnius, 

Varro, 

Clitus, 

Claudius, 

Strato, 

Lucius, 

Dardanius, 

Pindarus, Servant to Cassius 

Calpurnia, Wife to Ccesar 
Portia, Wife to Brutus 

Commoners, or Plebeians, of Rome; Senators, Guards, 
Attendants, etc. 

Scene: Act I-Act IV, Scene i, at Rome; Act IV, 
Scenes ii and Hi, near Sardis, in Asia Minor; 
Act V, the plains near Philippi, in Macedonia.'] 



Friends to Brutus and Cassius 



Servants to Brutus 



The Tragedy of Julius Ccesar 

ACT FIRST 

Scene One 

[Rome. A Street] 

Enter Flavius, Marullus, and certain Commoners over 
the Stage. 

Flav. Hence! home/ you idle creatures, get you 
home:/ 
Is this a holiday ? What ! know you not, 
Being mechanical, you ought not walk 
Upon a labouring day without the sign 4 

Of your profession? Speak, what trade art thou? 
Car. Why, sir, a carpenter. 

Mar. Where is thy leather apron, and thy rule ? 
What dost thou with thy best apparel on? 8 

You, sir, what trade are you? 

Cob. Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, 
I am but, as you would say, a cobbler. 
Mar. But what trade art thou? Answer me di- 
rectly. 12 
Cob. A trade, sir, that, I hope, I may use 
with a safe conscience; which is, indeed, sir, a 
mender of bad soles. 

Mar. What trade, thou knave ? thou naughty knave, 
what trade? 16 

Scene One S. d. Marullus; cf. n. 

3 mechanical : of the laboring class walk: go about the streets 

4, 5 sign . . . profession: artisan's garb and implements 

10 in respect of: in comparison with 11 cobbler: bungler 

12 directly: plainly, without evasion 16 naughty: wicked, worthless 



The Tragedy of 



Cob. Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with 
me: yet, if you be out, sir, I can mend you. 

Mar. What mean'st thou by that? Mend 
me, thou saucy fellow? 20 

Cob. Why, sir, cobble you. 
Flav. Thou art a cobbler, art thou? 

Cob. Truly, sir, all that I live by is with 
the awl: I meddle with no tradesman's matters, 
nor women's matters, but with awl. I am, in- 25 
deed, sir, a surgeon to old shoes; when they are 
in great danger, I recover them. As proper men 
as ever trod upon neat's leather have gone upon 
my handiwork. 29 

Flav. But wherefore art not in thy shop to-day ? 
Why dost thou lead these men about the streets ? 
Cob. Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, 
to get myself into more work. But, indeed, sir, 
we make holiday to see Caesar and to rejoice in 
his triumph. 

Mar. Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings 
he home? 36 

What tributaries follow him to Rome 
To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels? 
You blocks) you stones, you worse than senseless 

• things ! 
O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome, 40 

Knew you not Pompey? Many a time and oft 
Have you climb'd up to walls and battlements, 
To towers and windows, yea, to chimney-tops, 
Your infants in your arms, and there have sat 44 

The livelong day, with patient expectation, 
To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome: 

17 out: out of temper 18 be out: have hole in shoe 

25 with awl; cf. n. 27 proper: goodly, worthy 

28 neat's leather: cowhide 35 triumph; cf. n. 



Julius Ccesar, I. i 



And when you saw his chariot but appear, 

Have you not made a universal shout, 48 

That Tiber trembled underneath her banks, 

To hear the replication of your sounds 

Made in her concave shores? 

And do you now put on your best attire ? 52 

And do you now cull out a holiday? 

And do you now strew flowers in his way, 

That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood ? 

Be gone! 56 

Run to your houses, fall upon your knees, 

Pray to the gods to intermit the plague 

That needs must light on this ingratitude. 

Flav. Go, go, good countrymen, and for this 
fault 60 

Assemble all the poor men of your sort; 
Draw them to Tiber banks, and weep your tears 
Into the channel, till the lowest stream 
Do kiss the most exalted shores of all. 64 

Exeunt all the Commoners. 
See whether their basest metal be not mov'd; 
They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness. 
Go you down that way towards the Capitol; 
This way will I. Disrobe the images 68 

If you do find them deck'd with ceremonies. 

Mar. May we do so? 
You know it is the feast of Lupercal. 

Flav. It is no matter ; let no images 72 

Be hung with Caesar's trophies. I'll about 
And drive away the vulgar from the streets : 
So do you too where you perceive them thick. 

49 her; cf. n. 50 replication: echo 

53 cull out: choose this as 55 Pompey's blood; cf. n. on line 35 

69 ceremonies: ceremonial trappings 71 Lupercal; cf. n. 



The Tragedy of 



4 

These growing feathers pluck'd from Caesar's 
wing 76 

Will make him fly an ordinary pitch, 
Who else would soar above the view of men 
And keep us all in servile fearfulness. Exeunt. 



Scene Two 
[A Public Place] 

Enter \_in solemn procession, with music] Ccesar, An- 
tony for the course, Calpurnia, Portia, Decius, 
Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, Casca, [a great crowd 
following, among them] a Soothsayer: after them 
Marullus and Flavius. 

Cces. Calpurnia! 

Casca. Peace, ho ! Caesar speaks. 

[Music ceases.] 

Cces. Calpurnia ! 

Cal. Here, my lord. 

Cces. Stand you directly in Antonius' way 
When he doth run his course. Antonius ! 4 

Ant. Caesar, my lord. 

Cces. Forget not, in your speed, Antonius, 
To touch Calpurnia ; for our elders say, 
The barren, touched in this holy chase, 8 

Shake off their sterile curse. 

Ant. I shall remember: 

When Caesar says 'Do this/ it is perform'd. 

Cas. Set on; and leave no ceremony out. [Music] 

Sooth. Caesar! 12 

Cces. Ha! Who calls? 

77 pitch: height, as of 'a hawk's flight 6 in . . . speed : as you run 

9 sterile curse: affliction of barrenness 11 Set on: proceed, advance 



Julius Ccesar, I. ii 



Casca. Bid every noise be still : peace yet again ! 

[Music ceases. ,] 

Cces. Who is it in the press that calls on me? 
I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, 16 

Cry 'Caesar.' Speak; Caesar is turn'd to hear. 

Sooth. Beware the ides of March. 

Cces. What man is that? 

Bru. A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of 
March. 

Cces. Set him before me; let me see his face. 20 

Cas. Fellow, come from the throng; look upon 
Caesar. 

Cces. What sayst thou to me now? Speak once 
again. 

Sooth. Beware the ides of March. 

Cces. He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass. 24 
Sennet. Exeunt all but Brutus and Cassius. 

Cas. Will you go see the order of the course? 

Bru. Not I. 

Cas. I pray you, do. 

Bru. I am not gamesome: I do lack some part 28 
Of that quick spirit that is in Antony. 
Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires ; 
I'll leave you. 

Cas. Brutus, I do observe you now of late: 32 

I have not from your eyes that gentleness 
And show of love as I was wont to have: 
You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand 
Over your friend that loves you. 

Bru. Cassius, 36 

18 ides of March: March fifteenth 

24 S. d. Sennet: trumpet signal for procession to move 

25 order of the course: progress of the running 

28 gamesome: fond of sport 29 quick: lively 

32 do observe: have had occasion to notice 33 that: the same 

35, 36 handle your friend too stiffly and distantly 



The Tragedy of 



Be not deceiv'd: if I have veil'd my look, 

I turn the trouble of my countenance 

Merely upon myself. Vexed I am 

Of late with passions of some difference, 40 

Conceptions only proper to myself, 

Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviours ; 

But let not therefore my good friends be griev'd, — 

Among which number, Cassius, be you one, — 44 

Nor construe any further my neglect, , 

Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, v 

Forgets the shows of love to other men. 

Cas. Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your 
passion ; 48 

By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried 
Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. 
Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face? 

Bru. No, Cassius; for the eye sees not itself, 52 
But by reflection, by some other things. 

Cas. 'Tis just: 
And it is very much lamented, Brutus, 
That you have no such mirrors as will turn 56 

Your hidden worthiness into your eye, 
That you might see your shadow. I have heard 
Where many of the best respect in Rome, — 
Except immortal Caesar, — speaking of Brutus, 60 

And groaning underneath this age's yoke, 
Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes. 

Bru. Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, 
That you would have me seek into myself 64 

For that which is not in me? 

Cas. Therefore, good Brutus, be prepar'd to hear; 

37 Be not deceiv'd: do not misjudge me 39 Merely: altogether 

40 of . . . difference: conflicting 41 proper: belonging, relating 

42 soil: blemish 45 construe: read meaning into 

49 By . . . whereof : because of which mistake 54 just: true, right 

59 respect: standing 62 had . . . eyes: had his eyes about him 



Julius Ccesar, I. ii 



And, since you know you cannot see yourself 

So well as by reflection, I, your glass, 68 

Will modestly discover to yourself 

That of yourself which you yet know not of. 

And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus: 

Were I a common laugher, or did use 72 

To stale with ordinary oaths my love 

To every new protester; if you know 

That I do fawn on men and hug them hard, 

And after scandal them ; or if you know 76 

That I profess myself in banqueting 

To all the rout, then hold me dangerous. 

Flourish, and shout. 

Bru. What means this shouting? I do fear the 
people 
Choose Caesar for their king. 

Cas. Ay, do you fear it? 80 

Then must I think you would not have it so. 

Bru. I would not, Cassius; yet I love him welL^/ 
But wherefore do you hold me here so long? 
What is it that you would impart to me? 84 

If it be aught toward the general good, 
Set honour in one eye and death i' the other, 
And I will look on both indifferently ; 
For let the gods so speed me as I love 88 

The name of honour more than I fear death. 

Cas. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, 
As well as I do know your outward favour. 
Well, honour is the subject of my story. 92 

I cannot tell what you and other men 

71 jealous on: suspicious of 

73 stale: make cheap ordinary: customary 

74 protester: loud-mouthed pretender 

76 scandal: defame 77 profess myself : make protestations 

78 S. d. Flourish: trumpet call 87 indifferently : impartially 

88 speed: favor, prosper 91 favour: appearance 



8 The Tragedy of 

Think of this life; but, for my single self, 

I had as lief not be as live to be 

In awe of such a thing as I myself. 96 

I was born free as Caesar; so were you: 

We both have fed as well, and we can both 

Endure the winter's cold as well as he: 

For once, upon a raw and gusty day, 100 

The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores, 

Caesar said to me, 'Dar'st thou, Cassius, now 

Leap in with me into this angry flood, 

And swim to yonder point?' Upon the word, 104 

Accoutred as I was, I plunged in 

And bade him follow; so, indeed he did. 

The torrent roar'd, and we did buffet it 

With lusty sinews, throwing it aside 108 

And stemming it with hearts of controversy; 

But ere we could arrive the point propos'd, 

Caesar cried, 'Help me, Cassius, or I sink!' 

I, as iEneas, our great ancestor, 112 

Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder 

The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber 

Did I the tired Caesar. And this man 

Is now become a god, and Cassius is 116 

A wretched creature and must bend his body 

If Caesar carelessly but nod on him. 

He had a fever when he was in Spain, 

And when the fit was on him, I did mark 120 

How he did shake ; 'tis true, this god did shake ; 

His coward lips did from their colour fly, 

And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world 

Did lose his lustre ; I did hear him groan ; 124 

101 with: against 
105 Accoutred: clad 

109 hearts of controversy: contesting courage 

122 his lips forsook their normal redness as cowardly soldiers forsake 
their flag 123 bend: glance 124 his: its 



Julius Ccesar, J. ii 9 

Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans 

Mark him and write his speeches in their books, 

Alas ! it cried, 'Give me some drink, Titinius', 

As a sick girl. Ye gods, it doth amaze me, 128 

A man of such a feeble temper should 

So get the start of the majestic world, 

And bear the palm alone. Shout. Flourish. 

Bru. Another general shout! 

I do believe that these applauses are 132 

For some new honours that are heap'd on Caesar. 

Cas. Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world 
Like a Colossus; and we petty men 
Walk under his huge legs, and peep about 136 

To find ourselves dishonourable graves. 
Men at some time are masters of their fates: 
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, 
But in ourselves, that we are underlings. 140» 

Brutus and Caesar : what should be in that 'Caesar' ? 
Why should that name be sounded more than yours? 
Write them together, yours is as fair a name ; 
Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well; 144 
Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with 'em, 
'Brutus' will start a spirit as soon as 'Caesar'. 
Now, in the names of all the gods at once, 
Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed, 148 

That he is grown so great ? Age, thou art sham'd ! 
Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods ! 
When went there by an age, since the great flood, 
But it was f am'd with more than with one man ? 152 
When could they say, till now, that talk'd of Rome, 

129 temper: constitution 

130 get the start of: outstrip (in the race of life) 

135 Colossus: gigantic statue astride the mouth of the harbor of 
Rhodes 

150 lost . . . bloods: lost the art of breeding noble persons 

151 the great flood: Deucalion's, not Noah's 

152 fam'd with: famous for 



io The Tragedy of 

That her wide walks encompass'd but one man? 

Now is it Rome indeed and room enough, 

When there is in it but one only man. 156 

O, you and I have heard our fathers say, 

There was a Brutus once that would have brook'd 

Th' eternal devil to keep his state in Rome 

As easily as a king. 160 

Bru. That you do love me, I am nothing jealous; 
What you would work me to, I have some aim: 
How I have thought of this and of these times, 
I shall recount hereafter; for this present, 164 

I would not, so with love I might entreat you, 
Be any further mov'd. What you have said 
I will consider; what you have to say 
I will with patience hear, and find a time 168 

Both meet to hear and answer such high things. 
Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this : 
Brutus had rather be a villager 

Than to repute himself a son of Rome 172 

Under these hard conditions as this time 
Is like to lay upon us. 

Cas. I am glad 

That my weak words have struck but thus much show 
Of fire from Brutus. 176 

Bru. The games are done and Caesar is returning. 

Cas. As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve, 
And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you 
What hath proceeded wortHy r ~note to-day. iso 

Enter Ccesar and his Train. 

154 walks; cf. n. 155 Rome: then often pronounced 'Room' 

158 Brutus: Lucius Junius, who expelled the Tarquins, ca. 510 B. C. 

brook'd: tolerated 159 state: throne, rulership 

161 nothing: not at all jealous: doubtful 

162 work: induce aim: inkling 

165 so: */; cf. n. 166 mov'd: persuaded, urged 

169 meet: fit 170 chew: ponder 173 a.?,: such as 



Julius Ccesar, Z. ii 1 1 

Bru. I will do so. But, look you, Cassius, 
The angry spot doth glow on Caesar's brow, 
And all the rest look like a chidden train: 
Calpurnia's cheek is pale, and Cicero 184 

Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes 
As we have seen him in the Capitol, 
Being cross'd in conference by some senators. 

Cas. Casca will tell us what the matter is. 188 

Cces. Antonius ! 

Ant. Caesar. 

Cces. Let me have men about me that are fat; 
Sleek-headed men and such as sleep o' nights. 192 
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; 
He thinks too much: such men are dangerous. 

Ant. Fear him not, Caesar, he's not dangerous; 
He is a noble Roman, and well given. 196 

Cces. Would he were fatter ! but I fear him not : 
Yet if my name were liable to fear, 
I do not know the man I should avoid 
So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much; 200 
He is a great observer, and he looks 
Quite through the deeds of men; he loves no plays, 
As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music; 
Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort 204 

As if he mock'd himself, and scorn'd his spirit 
That could be mov'd to smile at anything. 
Such men as he be never at heart's ease 
Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, 208 

And therefore are they very dangerous. 
I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd 
Than what I fear, for always I am Caesar. 

185 ferret: ferret-like, i.e., small and red 

187 conference: debate 

192 Sleek-headed: unruffled by deep plotting 

196 well given: well disposed 198 my name; cf. n. 

203 he . . . music; cf. n. 208 Whiles: whilst, while 



12 The Tragedy of 

Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf, 212 

And tell me truly what thou think' st of him. 

Sennet. Exeunt Ccesar and his Train [except 

Casca~]. 
Casca. You pull'd me by the cloak; would you 

speak with me? 
Bru. Ay, Casca; tell us what hath chanc'd to-day, 
That Caesar looks so sad. 216 

Casca. Why, you were with him, were you not? 
Bru. I should not then ask Casca what had chanc'd. 

Casca. Why, there was a crown offered him; 
and, being offered him, he put it by with the 220 
back of his hand, thus ; and then the people fell 
a-shouting. 

Bru. What was the second noise for? 
Casca. Why, for that too. 224 

Cas. They shouted thrice: what was the last cry 

for? 

Casca. Why, for that too. 

Bru. Was the crown offered him thrice? 227 

Casca. Ay, marry, was 't, and he put it by 
thrice, every time gentler than other ; and at every 
putting-by mine honest neighbours shouted. 
Cas. Who offered him the crown? 
Casca. Why, Antony. 232 

Bru. Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca. 

Casca. I can as well be hanged as tell the 
manner of it: it was mere foolery; I did not 
mark it. I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown ; 
yet 'twas not a crown neither, 'twas one of these 
coronets ; and, as I told you, he put it by once ; 238 
but, for all that, to my thinking, he would fain 

216 sad: grave, serious 

228 marry: properly an invocation of the Virgin 

238 coronets: laurel garland of a Lupercal runner 



Julius Ccesar, I. ii 13 

have had it. Then he offered it to him again; 
then he put it by again; but, to my thinking, he 
was very loath to lay his fingers off it. And then 
he offered it the third time; he put it the third 
time by ; and still as he refused it the rabblement 
shouted and clapped their chopped hands, and 245 
threw up their sweaty night-caps, and uttered 
such a deal of stinking breath because Caesar 
refused the crown, that it had almost choked 
Caesar; for he swounded and fell down at it: and 
for mine own part, I durst not laugh, for fear of 
opening my lips and receiving the bad air. 
Cas. But soft, I pray you: what! did Caesar 

swound ? 252 

Casca. He fell down in the market-place, and 
foamed at mouth, and was speechless. 
Bru. 'Tis very like: he hath the falling-sickness. 
Cas. No, Caesar hath it not; but you, and I, 
And honest Casca, we have the falling-sickness. 

Casca. I know not what you mean by that ; 258 
but I am sure Caesar fell down. If the tag-rag 
people did not clap him and hiss him, according 
as he pleased and displeased them, as they use 
to do the players in the theatre, I am no true 
man. 263 

Bru. What said he, when he came unto himself? 

Casca. Marry, before he fell down, when he 
perceiv'd the common herd was glad he refused 
the crown, he plucked me ope his doublet and 
offered them his throat to cut. An I had been a 268 

244 still : always, ever 245 chopped: chapped, callous 

249 swounded: fainted 252 soft: stop, wait 

255 like: likely falling-sickness: epilepsy 

259 tag-rag: beggarly, common 262 true: honest 

267 me: expletive 'dative of interest' ope: open doublet: Eliza- 

bethan jacket 268 An: if 



14 The Tragedy of 

man of any occupation, if I would not have taken 
him at a word, I would I might go to hell among 
the rogues. And so he fell. When he came to 
himself again, he said, if he had done or said 
anything amiss, he desired their worships to 273 
think it was his infirmity. Three or four 
wenches, where I stood, cried, 'Alas, good soul!' 
and forgave him with all their hearts: but 
there's no heed to be taken of them; if Caesar 
had stabbed their mothers, they would have 
done no less. 279 

Bra. And after that he came, thus sad, away? 

Casca. Ay. 
Cas. Did Cicero say anything? 

Casca. Ay, he spoke Greek. 
Cas. To what effect? 284 

Casca. Nay, an I tell you that, I'll ne'er look 
you i' the face again; but those that understood 
him smiled at one another and shook their 
heads; but, for mine own part, it was Greek to 
me. I could tell you more news too; Marullus 
and Flavius, for pulling scarfs off Caesar's images, 
are put to silence. Fare you well. There was 
more foolery yet, if I could remember it. 292 

Cas. Will you sup with me to-night, Casca? 

Casca. No, I am promised forth. 
Cas. Will you dine with me to-morrow ? 

Casca. Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, 
and your dinner worth the eating. 297 

Cas. Good; I will expect you. 

Casca. Do so. Farewell, both. Exit. 

269 occupation : artisan's calling 

291 put to silence: dismissed, not killed 

294 I have a previous engagement {to dine out) 



Julius Ccesar, I. ii 15 

Bru. What a blunt fellow is this grown to be ! 300 
He was quick mettle when he went to school. 

Cas. So is he now in execution 
Of any bold or noble enterprise, 

However he puts on this tardy form. 304 

This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, 
Which gives men stomach to digest his words 
With better appetite. 

Bru. And so it is. For this time I will leave 
you: 308 

To-morrow, if you please to speak with me, 
I will come home to you; or, if you will, 
Come home to me, and I will wait for you. 

Cas. I will do so: till then, think of the world. 312 

Exit Brutus. 
Well, Brutus, thou art noble; yet, I see, 
Thy honourable metal may be wrought 
From that it is dispos'd: therefore 'tis meet 
That noble minds keep ever with their likes ; 316 

For who so firm that cannot be seduc'd? 
Caesar doth bear me hard; but he loves Brutus: 
If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius, 
He should not humour me. I will this night, 320 

In several hands, in at his windows throw, 
As if they came from several citizens, 
Waitings all tending to the great opinion 
That Rome holds of his name ; wherein obscurely 324 
Caesar's ambition shall be glanced at: 
And after this let Caesar seat him sure ; 
For we will shake him, or worse days endure. Exit. 

301 quick mettle: high-spirited 

304 However -.notwithstanding that tardy form: sluggish manner 

312 the world: public affairs 315 that: that to which 

318 bear me hard: dislike me 320 He . . . me; c/. n. 

321 several hands: different handwritings 

327 or . . . endure: or suffer disastrous consequences of our attempt 



16 The Tragedy of 

Scene Three 
[A Street] 

Thunder and lightning. Enter [from opposite sides] 
Casca [with his sword drawn] and Cicero. 

Cic. Good even, Casca: brought you Caesar home? 
Why are you breathless? and why stare you so? 

Casca. Are not you mov'd, when all the sway of 
earth 
Shakes like a thing unfirm ? O Cicero ! 4 

I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds 
Have riv'd the knotty oaks ; and I have seen 
The ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam, 
To be exalted with the threat'ning clouds: 8 

But never till to-night, never till now, 
Did I go through a tempest dropping fire. 
Either there is a civil strife in heaven, 
Or else the world, too saucy with the gods, 12 

Incenses them to send destruction. 

Cic. Why, saw you anything more wonderful? 

Casca. A common slave — you know him well by 
sight — 
Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn 16 
Like twenty torches join'd; and yet his hand, 
Not sensible of fire, remain'd unscorch'd. 
Besides, — I have not since put up my sword, — 
Against the Capitol I met a lion, 20 

Who glar'd upon me, and went surly by, 
Without annoying me ; and there were drawn 
Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women, 
Transformed with their fear, who swore they saw 24 

1 brought: escorted 3 sway: settled order 

14 more: else (or, extraordinarily) 

18 sensible of: vulnerable by, sensitive to 

22,23 drawn . . . heap: crowded together in a body 



Julius Ccesar, J. Hi 17 

Men all in fire walk up and down the streets. 

And yesterday the bird of night did sit, 

Even at noon-day, upon the market-place, 

Hooting and shrieking. When these prodigies 28 

Do so conjointly meet, let not men say, 

'These are their reasons, they are natural'; 

For, I believe, they are portentous things 

Unto the climate that they point upon. 32 

Cic. Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time: 
But men may construe things after their fashion, 
Clean from the purpose of the things themselves. 
Comes Caesar to the Capitol to-morrow? 36 

Casca. He doth ; for he did bid Antonius 
Send word to you he would be there to-morrow. 

Cic. Good-night then, Casca: this disturbed sky 
Is not to walk in. 

Casca. Farewell, Cicero. 40 

Exit Cicero. 
Enter Cassius. 

Cas. Who's there? 

Casca. A Roman. 

Cas. Casca, by your voice. 

Casca. Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is 
this! 

Cas. A very pleasing night to honest men. 

Casca. Who ever knew the heavens menace so? 44 

Cas. Those that have known the earth so full of 
faults. 
For my part, I have walk'd about the streets, 
Submitting me unto the perilous night, 

26 bird of night: owl 

32 climate: clime, region point upon : apply to 

33 strange-disposed: of strange character 

34 after . . . fashion: according to men's own human predilection 

35 Clean . . . purpose: quite apart from the true meaning 

39 sky: air, state of weather 42 what night: what a night 



is The Tragedy of 

And, thus unbraced, Casca, as you see, 48 

Have bar'd my bosom to the thunder-stone; 

And, when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open 

The breast of heaven, I did present myself 

Even in the aim and very flash of it. 52 

Casca. But wherefore did you so much tempt the 
heavens ? 
It is the part of men to fear and tremble 
When the most mighty gods by tokens send 
Such dreadful heralds to astonish us. 56 

Cas. You are dull, Casca, and those sparks of life 
That should be in a Roman you do want, 
Or else you use not. You look pale, and gaze, 
And put on fear, and cast yourself in wonder, 60 
To see the strange impatience of the heavens; 
But if you would consider the true cause 
Why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts, 
Why birds and beasts, from quality and kind, 64 

Why old men, fools, and children calculate, 
Why all these things change from their ordinance, 
Their natures, and pre-formed faculties, 
To monstrous quality, — why, you shall find 68 

That heaven hath infus'd them with these spirits 
To make them instruments of fear and warning 
Unto some monstrous state. 

Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man 72 

Most like this dreadful night, 
That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars 
As doth the lion in the Capitol, 
A man no mightier than thyself or me 76 

48 unbraced: with doublet open 

49 thunder-stone: supposedly cast from the j>ky by thunder 

60 put on: exhibit the signs of cast . . .in: give way to; cf. n. 

63 Why: i.e., why we have (or, . . . are acting so) 

64 from . . . kind: far from their proper character and nature 

65 calculate: prophesy; cf. n. 66 ordinance: ordinary conduct 
71 monstrous state: unnatural state of affairs 



Julius Ccesar, I. in 19 

In personal action, yet prodigious grown 
And fearful as these strange eruptions are. 

Casca. 'Tis Caesar that you mean; is it not, Cas- 
sius? 

Cas. Let it be who it is: for Romans now 80 

Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors; 
But, woe the while ! our fathers' minds are dead, 
And we are govern'd with our mothers' spirits; 
Our yoke and sufferance show us womanish. 84 

Casca. Indeed, they say the senators to-morrow 
Mean to establish Caesar as a king; 
And he shall wear his crown by sea and land, 
In every place, save here in Italy. 88 

Cas. I know where I will wear this dagger then; 
Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius: 
Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong; 
Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat: 92 

Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass, 
Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, 
Can be retentive to the strength of spirit: 
But life, being weary of these worldly bars, 96 

Never lacks power to dismiss itself. 
If I know this, know all the world besides, 
That part of tyranny that I do bear 
I can shake off at pleasure. Thunder still. 

Casca. So can 1 : 100 

So every bondman in his own hand bears 
The power to cancel his captivity. 

Cas. And why should Caesar be a tyrant then? 
Poor man! I know he would not be a wolf 104 

But that he sees the Romans are but sheep; 

78 fearful: inspiring fear eruptions: freaks of nature 

82 woe the while: alas for the times 

84 yoke and sufferance: patience under the yoke 



20 The Tragedy of 

He were no lion, were not Romans hinds. 

Those that with haste will make a mighty fire 

Begin it with weak straws ; what trash is Rome, 108 

What rubbish, and what offal, when it serves 

For the base matter to illuminate 

So vile a thing as Caesar ! But, O grief, 

Where hast thou led me? I, perhaps, speak this 112 

Before a willing bondman; then I know 

My answer must be made: but I am arm'd, 

And dangers are to me indifferent. 

Casca. You speak to Casca, and to such a man 116 
That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold, my hand: 
Be factious for redress of all these griefs, 
And I will set this foot of mine as far 
As who goes furthest. 

Cas. There's a bargain made. 120 

Now know you, Casca, I have mov'd already 
Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans 
To undergo with me an enterprise 
Of honourable-dangerous consequence; 124 

And I do know by this they stay for me 
In Pompey's porch: for now, this fearful night, 
There is no stir, or walking in the streets; 
And the complexion of the element 128 

In favour's like the work we have in hand, 
Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible. 

Casca. Stand close awhile, for here comes one in 
haste. 

106 hinds: female of red deer; also, servants, rustics 

107-111 Cf.n. 

114 My . . . made: I shall have to answer for my words 

117 That: as fleering: mocking Hold, my hand: here, take this 
handclasp as pledge 

118 factious: active griefs: grievances 

123 undergo: undertake 125 by this: by this time 

126 Pompey's porch; cf. n. 

128 complexion . . . element: visible condition of the sky 

131 Stand close: avoid notice 



Julius Ccesar, I. Hi 21 

Cas. 'Tis Cinna; I do know him by his gait: 
He is a friend. 

Enter Cinna. 

Cinna, where haste you so? 133 

Cin. To find out you. Who's that? Metellus 
Cimber ? 

Cas. No, it is Casca; one incorporate 
To our attempts. Am I not stay'd for, Cinna? 

Cin. I am glad on 't. What a fearful night is 
this ! 137 

There's two or three of us have seen strange sights. 

Cas. Am I not stay'd for? Tell me. 

Cin. Yes, you are. 

O Cassius, if you could 140 

But win the noble Brutus to our party — 

Cas. Be you content. Good Cinna, take this paper, 
And look you lay it in the praetor's chair, 
Where Brutus may but find it; and throw this 144 
In at his window; set this up with wax 
Upon old Brutus' statue: all this done, 
Repair to Pompey's porch, where you shall find us. 
Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there? 148 

Cin. All but Metellus Cimber ; and he's gone 
To seek you at your house. Well, I will hie, 
And so bestow these papers as you bade me. 

Cas. That done, repair to Pompey's theatre. 152 

Exit Cinna. 
Come, Casca, you and I will yet ere day 
See Brutus at his house: three parts of him 
Is ours already, and the man entire 
Upon the next encounter yields him ours. 156 

Casca. O, he sits high in all the people's hearts: 

135 incorporate: joined, affiliated 

143 praetor's chair: official seat of judge in Roman tribunal 

150 hie: hasten away 



22 The Tragedy of 

And that which would appear offence in us, 
His countenance, like richest alchemy, 
Will change to virtue and to worthiness. 160 

Cas. Him and his worth and our great need of him 
You have right well conceited. Let us go, 
For it is after midnight; and ere day 
We will awake him and be sure of him. 164 

Exeunt. 

ACT SECOND 

Scene One 

Enter Brutus in his Orchard. 

Bru. What, Lucius ! ho ! 
I cannot, by the progress of the stars, 
Give guess how near to day. Lucius, I say ! 
I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly. 4 

When, Lucius, when ? Awake, I say ! what, Lucius ! 

Enter Lucius. 

Luc. Call'd you, my lord? 
Bru. Get me a taper in my study, Lucius : 
When it is lighted, come and call me here. 8 

Luc. I will, my lord. Exit. 

Bru. It must be by his death: and, for my part, 

I know no personal cause to spurn at him, 

But for the general. He would be crown'd: 12 

How that might change his nature, there's the ques- 
tion: 
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder; 

159 countenance: patronage, support alchemy: pseudo-science of 

transmuting metals 162 conceited: expressed figuratively 

Scene One S. d. Orchard: garden 
5 When: exclamation of impatience 

II spurn at: oppose vindictively 

12 general: people's sake, public welfare 



Julius Ccesar, II. i 23 

And that craves wary walking. Crown him that, 

And then, I grant, we put a sting in him 16 

That at his will he may do danger with. 

The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins 

Remorse from power ; and, to speak truth of Caesar, 

I have not known when his affections sway'd 20 

More than his reason \But 'tis a common proof, 

That lowliness is youngj ambition's ladder, 

Whereto the climber-upward turns his face; 

But when he once attains the upmost round, 24 

He then unto the ladder turns his back, 

Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees 

By which he did ascend. So Caesar may: 

Then, lest he may, preyent. And, since the quarrel 28 

Will bear no colour for the thing he is, 

Fashion it thus ; that what he is, augmented, 

Would run to these and these extremities ; 

And therefore think him as a serpent's egg 32 

Which hatch'd, would, as his kind, grow mischievous, 

And kill him in the shell. 

Enter Lucius. 

Luc. The taper burneth in your closet, sir. 
Searching the window for a flint, I found 36 

This paper, thus seal'd up ; and I am sure 
It did not lie there when I went to bed. 

Bru. Get you to bed again; it is not day. 
Is not to-morrow, boy, the ides of March? 40 

Luc. I know not, sir. 

Bru. Look in the calendar, and bring me word. 

15 Crown him that; cf. n. 19 Remorse: mercy, conscience 

20 affections: passions 21 proof: proved experience 

26 degrees: steps, rungs 

28 prevent: be beforehand quarrel: attack on him, accusation 

29 colour: justification 30 Fashion : put, formulate 
31 these and these: such and such 

33 as his kind: as is the nature of his species 35 closet: study 



24 The Tragedy of 

Luc. I will, sir. Exit. 

Bru. The exhalations whizzing in the air 44 

Give so much light that I may read by them. 

Opens the letter, and reads. 
'Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake, and see thyself. 
Shall Rome, &c. Speak, strike, redress ! 
Brutus, thou sleep'st: awake!' 48 

Such instigations have been often dropp'd 
Where I have took them up. 
'Shall Rome, &c.' Thus must I piece it out: 
Shall Rome stand under one man's awe? What, 
Rome ? 52 

My ancestors did from the streets of Rome 
The Tarquin drive, when he was call'd a king. 
'Speak, strike, redress !' Am I entreated 
To speak, and strike? O Rome, I make thee 
promise : 56 

If the redress will follow, thou receivest 
Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus ! 

Enter Lucius. 

Luc. Sir, March is wasted fourteen days. 59 

Knocking within. 

Bru. 'Tis good. Go to the gate: somebody knocks. 

[Exit Lucius.] 
Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, 
I have not slept. 

Between the acting of a dreadful thing 
And the first motion, all the interim is 64 

Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream: 
The genius and the mortal instruments 

44 exhalations: meteors 

58 Thy full petition: full measure of what thou askest 

59 fourteen; cf. n. 61,62 Cf.n. 64 motion: instigation, inception 

65 phantasma: vision, phantasmagoria 

66 genius: the guardian spirit, within man mortal instruments: hu- 
man faculties 



Julius Ccesar, II. i 25 

Are then in council ; and the state of man, 

Like to a little kingdom, suffers then 68 

The nature of an insurrection. 

Enter Lucius. 

Luc. Sir, 'tis your brother Cassius at the door, 
Who doth desire to see you. 

Bru. Is he alone? 

Luc. No, sir, there are moe with him. 

Bru. Do you know them? 72 

Luc. No, sir; their hats are pluck'd about their 
ears, 
And half their faces buried in their cloaks, 
That by no means I may discover them 
By any mark of favour. 

Bru. Let 'em enter. 76 

[Exit Lucius.^ 
They are the faction. O conspiracy, 
Sham'st thou to show thy dangerous brow by night, 
When evils are most free? O then by day 
Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough 80 

To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, con- 
spiracy ; 
Hide it in smiles and affability: 
For if thou path, thy native semblance on, 
Not Erebus itself were dim enough 84 

To hide thee from prevention. 

Enter the Conspirators, Cassius, Casca, Decius, 
Cinna, Metellus, and Trebonius. 

70 brother : he had married Brutus' sister, Junia 

72 moe: more, others 

76 mark of favour: trait of countenance 

77 faction: band of conspirators 

83 path: walk, proceed native: natural on: being on 

84 Erebus: gloomy region leading to Hades {the name signifies 
'darkness') 85 prevention: being forestalled 



26 The Tragedy of 

Cas. I think we are too bold upon your rest: 
Good morrow, Brutus ; do we trouble you ? 

Bru. I have been up this hour, awake all night. 88 
Know I these men that come along with you ? 

Cas. Yes, every man of them; and no man here 
But honours you; and every one doth wish 
You had but that opinion of yourself 92 

Which every noble Roman bears of you. 
This is Trebonius. 

Bru. He is welcome hither. 

Cas. This, Decius Brutus. 

Bru. He is welcome too. 

Cas. This, Casca; this, Cinna; 96 

And this, Metellus Cimber. 

Bru. They are all welcome. 

What watchful cares do interpose themselves 
Betwixt your eyes and night? 

Cas. Shall I entreat a word? 100 

[Brutus and Cassius] whisper. 

Dec. Here lies the east: doth not the day break 
here ? 

Casca. No. 

Cin. O pardon, sir, it doth; and yon grey lines 
That fret the clouds are messengers of day. 104 

Casca. You shall confess that you are both 
deceiv'd. 
Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises; 
Which is a great way growing on the south, 
Weighing the youthful season of the year. 108 

Some two months hence up higher toward the north 
He first presents his fire; and the high east 
Stands, as the Capitol, directly here. 

86 bold: i.e., in intruding 90 and no: and there is no 

104 fret: chequer 106 as: where 

107 growing on: tending toward 108 Weighing: on account of 



Julius Ccesar, II. i 27 

Bru. Give me your hands all over, one by one. 112 
Cas. And let us swear our resolution. 
Bru. No, not an oath: if not the face of men, 
The sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse, — 
If these be motives weak, break off betimes, 116 

And every man hence to his idle bed; 
So let high-sighted tyranny range on, 
Till each man drop by lottery. But if these, 
»As I am sure they do, bear fire enough 120 

To kindle cowards and to steel with valour 
JThe melting spirits of women^ then, countrymen, 
' What need we any spur but our own cause 
To prick us to redress? what other bond 124 

Than secret Romans, that have spoke the word 
And will not palter? and what other oath 
Than honesty to honesty engag'd, 

That this shall be, or we will fall for it? 128 

Swear priests and cowards and men cautelous, 
Old feeble carrions and such suffering souls , 
That welcome wrongs : unto bad causes swear 
Such creatures as men doubt; but do not stain 132 
The even virtue of our enterprise, 
Nor th' insuppressive mettle of our spirits, V/ 
To think that or our cause or our performance 
Did need an oath ; when every drop of blood 136 

That every Roman bears, and nobly bears, 
Is guilty of a several bastardy, 
If he do break the smallest particle 

112 all over : successively 

114 face of men: mute appeal in the people's looks 

115 sufferance : suffering, distress the . . . abuse: abuses of the 
time 116 betimes: before it's too late 

118 high-sighted : haughty 119 lottery : arbitrary decree 

123 What: why 125 Than secret: than that of resolute 

126 palter: play fast and loose 129 cautelous: crafty, deceitful 

130 carrions: wretches no better than soulless carcasses suffering: 

long-suffering 133 even: just 

134 insuppressive : irrepressible 135 or . . . or: either . . . or 

138 Is individually condemned as illegitimate 



28 The Tragedy of 

Of any promise that hath pass'd from him. 140 

Cas. But what of Cicero? Shall we sound him? 
I think he will stand very strong with us. 

Casca. Let us not leave him out. 
. Cin. No, by no means. 

{ Met. O let us have him; for his silver hairs 
Will purchase us a good opinion *x 145 

And buy men's voices to commend our deeds: 
It shall be said his judgment rul'd our hands; 
Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear, 
But all be buried in his gravity. 149 

Bru. O name him not: let us not break with him; 
For he will never follow anything 
That other men begin. 

Cas. Then leave him out. 152 

Casca. Indeed he is not fit. 

Dec. Shall no man else be touch'd but only Caesar ? 

Cas. Decius, well urg'd. I think it is not meet, 
Mark Antony, so well belov'd of Caesar, 156 

Should outlive Caesar: we shall find of him 
A shrewd contriver; and you know, his means, 
If he improve them, may well stretch so far 
As to annoy us all; which to prevent, 160 

Let Antony and Caesar fall together. 

Bru. Our course will seem too bloody, Caius Cas- 
sius, 
To cut the head off and then hack the limbs, 
Like wrath in death and envy afterwards; 164 

For Antony is but a limb of Caesar. 
Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius. 
We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar; 

150 break with: broach our plan to 157 of: in 

158 shrewd contriver: malevolent plotter 

159 improve: make the most of 

160 annoy: seriously injure 
164 envy: vindictiveness 



Julius Ccesar, II. i 29 

And in the spirit of men there is no blood: 168 

O then that we could come by Caesar's spirit, 

And not dismember Caesar ! But, alas, 

Caesar must bleed for it. And, gentle friends, 

Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully; 172 

Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods, 

Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds: 

And let our hearts, as subtle masters do, 

Stir up their servants to an act of rage, 176 

And after seem to chide 'em. This shall make 

Our purpose necessary and not envious ; 

Which so appearing to the common eyes, 

We shall be call'd purgers, not murderers. 180 

And, for Mark Antony, think not of him; 

For he can do no more than Caesar's arm 

When Caesar's head is off. 

Cas. Yet I fear him; 

For in the ingrafted love he bears to Caesar — 184 

Bru. Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him. 
If he love Caesar, all that he can do 
Is to himself: take thought, and die for Caesar. 
And that were much he should, for he is given 
To sports, to wildness, and much company. 1S9 

Treb, There is no fear in him; let him not die: 
For he will live, and laugh at this hereafter. 

Clock strikes. 

Bru. Peace ! count the clock. 

Cas. The clock hath stricken three. 192 

Treb. 'Tis time to part. 

Cas. But it is doubtful yet 

Whether Caesar will come forth to-day or no ; 

184 ingrafted: deeply rooted 

187 Is to: concerns, affects, only take thought: despond 

188 that . . . should: even that would be more than might be ex- 
pected 

190 fear: cause for fear 



30 The Tragedy of 

For he is superstitious grown of late, 

Quite from the main opinion he held once 196 

Of fantasy, of dreams, and ceremonies. 

It may be, these apparent prodigies, 

The unaccustom'd terror of this night, 

And the persuasion of his augurers, 200 

May hold him from the Capitol to-day. 

Dec. Never fear that: if he be so resolv'd, 
I can o'ersway him; for he loves to hear 
That unicorns may be betray'd with trees, 204 

And bears with glasses, elephants with holes, 
Lions with toils, and men with flatterers ; 
But when I tell him he hates flatterers, 
He says he does, being then most flattered. 208 

Let me work; 

For I can give his humour the true bent, 
And I will bring him to the Capitol. 

Cas. Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch 
him. 212 

Bru. By the eighth hour: is that the uttermost? 

Cin. Be that the uttermost, and fail not then. 

Met. Caius Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard, 
Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey: 216 
I wonder none of you have thought of him. 

Bru. Now, good Metellus, go along by him: 
He loves me well, and I have given him reasons; 
Send him but hither, and I'll fashion him. 220 

Cas. The morning comes upon 's: we'll leave you, 
Brutus. 
And, friends, disperse yourselves; but all remember 

196 from . . . main: changed from the general 

198 apparent: manifest 

204 trees: by luring them to drive their horns too firmly into trees 

205 glasses: mirrors, to distract their attention holes: pitfalls 

206 toils: nets, snares 210 humour: disposition; cf. n. on line 250 
213 uttermost: latest 216 rated: berated, reprimanded 
218 by him: by his house 220 fashion: like modern 'whip into shape' 



-^ 



Julius Ccesar, II. i 31 

What you have said, and show yourselves true 
Romans. 
Bru. Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily ; 224 
Let not our looks put on our purposes, 
But bear it as our Roman actors do, 
With untir'd spirits and formal constancy: 
And so good morrow to you every one. 228 

Exeunt. Manet Brutus. 
Boy! Lucius! Fast asleep? It is no matter; 
Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber: 
Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies 
W T hich busy care draws in the brains of men; 
Therefore thou sleep'st so sound. 233 

Enter Portia. 

Por. Brutus, my lord! 

Bru. Portia, what mean you? Wherefore rise you 
now? 
It is not for your health thus to commit 
Your weak condition to the raw cold morning. 236 

Por. Nor for yours neither. You've ungently, 
Brutus, 
Stole from my bed; and yesternight at supper 
You suddenly arose, and walk'd about, 
Musing and sighing, with your arms across, 240 

And when I ask'd you what the matter was, 
You star'd upon me with ungentle looks. 
I urg'd you further; then you scratched your head, 
And too impatiently stamp'd with your foot; 244 

Yet I insisted, yet you answer'd not, 
But with an angry wafture of you * ha^tl , 
Gave sign for me to leave you. So I did, 
Fearing to strengthen that impatience 248 

227 formal constancy: dignified self-possession 
231 figures: pictures created by imagination 



32 The Tragedy of 

Which seem'd too much enkindled, and withal 

Hoping it was but an effect of humour, 

Which sometime hath his hour with every man. 

It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep, 252 

And could it work so much upon your shape 

As it hath much prevailed on your condition, 

I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord, 

Make me acquainted with your cause of grief. 256 

Bru. I am not well in health, and that is all. 

Por. Brutus is wise, and were he not in health, 
He would embrace the means to come by it. 

Bru. Why, so I do. Good Portia, go to bed. 260 

Por. Is Brutus sick, and is it physical 
To walk unbraced and suck up the humours 
Of the dank morning? What! is Brutus sick, 
And will he steal out of his wholesome bed 264 

To dare the vile contagion of the night, 
And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air 
To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus; 
You have some sick offence within your mind, 268 

Which, by the right and virtue of my place, 
I ought to know of; and, upon my knees, 
I charm you, by my once-commended beauty, 
By all your vows of love, and that great vow 272 
Which did incorporate and make us one, 
That you unfold to me, your self, your half, 
Why you are heavy, and what men to-night 
Have had resort to you; for here have been 276 

Some six or seven, who did hide their faces 
Even from darkness. 

Bru. Kneel not, gentle Portia. 

250 humour; cf. n. 253, 254 (outward) shape, (inward) condition 

261 physical: healthful 

266 rheumy: causing rheumatic diseases unpurged: unpurified by 

the sun 268 sick offence: unhealthy trouble 

271 charm: conjure, entreat 



Julius Ccesar, II, i 33 

Por. I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus. 
Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, 280 
Is it excepted I should know no secrets 
That appertain to you? Am I yourself 
But, as it were, in sort or limitation, 
To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed, 284 
And talk to you sometimes? Dwell I but in the 

suburbs 
Of your good pleasure? If it be no more, 
Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife. 

Brui You are my true and honourable wife, 288 
As dear to me as are the ruddy drops 
That visit my sad heart. 

Por. If this were true then should I know this 
secret. 
I grant I am a woman, but, withal, 292 

A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife; 
I grant I am a woman, but, withal, 
A woman well-reputed, Cato's daughter. 
Think you I am no stronger than my sex, 296 

Being so father'd and so husbanded? 
Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose 'em. 
I have made strong proof of my constancy, 
Giving myself a voluntary wound, 300 

Here, in the thigh: can I bear that with patience 
And not my husband's secrets? 

Bru. O ye gods, 

Render me worthy of this noble wife! 

Knock [within]. 
Hark, hark! one knocks. Portia, go in awhile; 304 
And by and by thy; bosom shall partake 
The secrets of my heart. 

283 in . . . limitation : only after a fashion or with restrictions 
292 withal : with this saving reservation 
295 Cato: Marcus Por cius Cato, 'of Utica' 



34 The Tragedy of 

All my engagements I will construe to thee, 
All the charactery of my sad brows. 308 

Leave me with haste. Exit Portia. 

Lucius, who's that knocks? 

Enter Lucius and Ligarius. 

Luc. Here is a sick man that would speak with you. 

Bru. Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spoke of. 
Boy, stand aside. Caius Ligarius! how? 312 

Lig. Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue. 

Bru. O what a time have you chose out, brave 
Caius, 
To wear a kerchief ! Would you were not sick ! 

Lig. I am not sick if Brutus have in hand 
Any exploit worthy the name of honour. 317 

Bru. Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius, 
Had you a healthful ear to hear of it. 

Lig. By all the gods that Romans bow before, 
I here discard my sickness ! Soul of Rome, 321 

Brave son, deriv'd from honourable loins, 
Thou, like an exorcist, hast conjur'd up 
My mortified spirit. Now bid me run, 
And I will strive with things impossible; 325 

Yea, get the better of them. What's to do ? 

Bru. A piece of work that will make sick men 
whole. 

Lig. But are not some whole that we must make 
sick ? 328 

Bru. That must we also. What it is, my Caius, 
I shall unfold to thee as we are going 
To whom it must be done. 

307 engagements: undertakings that I stand committed to construe: 
explain 308 charactery: writing, message 

309 who's: who is it 313 Vouchsafe: vouchsafe to receive 

315 kerchief: swathing for the head of the sick 

323 exorcist: magician 324 mortified: deadened 

331 To whom: to him to whom 



Julius Ccesar, II. ii 35 

Lig. Set on your foot, 

And with a heart new-fir'd I follow you, 332 

To do I know not what; but it sufficeth 
That Brutus leads me on. Thunder. 

Bru. Follow me then. 

Exeunt. 

Scene Two 
[C cesar's House] 

Thunder and lightning. Enter Julius Caesar in his 
night-gown. 

Cats. Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to- 
night : 
Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out, 
'Help, ho ! They murder Caesar !' Who's within ? 

Enter a Servant. 

Serv. My lord! 4 

Goes. Go bid the priests do present sacrifice, 
And bring me their opinions of success. 

Serv. I will, my lord. Exit. 

Enter Calpurnia. 

Col. What mean you, Caesar? Think you to walk 
forth? 8 

You shall not stir out of your house to-day. 

Cces. Caesar shall forth: the things that threaten'd 
me 
Ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see 
The face of Caesar, they are vanished. 12 

Cat. Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies, 

Scene Two S. d. night-gown: dressing-gown 

5 present: immediate 6 success: the future 

13 stood on ceremonies: laid stress on omens 



V 



36 The Tragedy of 

Yet now they fright me. There is one within, 

Besides the things that we have heard and seen, 

Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch. 

A lioness hath whelped in the streets; 17 

And graves have yawn'd and yielded up their dead; 

Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds, 

In ranks and squadrons and right form of war, 

Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol; 21 

The noise of battle hurtled in the air, 

Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan, 

And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets. 24 

O Caesar, these things are beyond all use, 

And I do fear them. 

Cobs. What can be avoided 

Whose end is purpos'd by the mighty gods ? 
Yet Caesar shall go forth; for these predictions 28 
Are to the world in general as to Caesar. 

Cat. When beggars die there are no comets seen; 
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of 
princes. 

Cces. Cowards die many times before their 
deaths ; 32 

The valiant never taste of death but once. 
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, 
It seems to me most strange that men should fear; 
Seeing that death, a necessary end, 36 

Will come when it will come. 

Enter a Servant. 

What say the augurers ? 
Serv. They would not have you to stir forth to-day. 
Plucking the entrails of an oifering forth, 

20 right form : regular formations 

22 hurtled: emitted sounds of conflict, clashed 

25 use: previous experience 

27 end: accomplishment 29 Are to: are as applicable to 



Julius Ccesar, II. ii 37 

They could not find a heart within the beast. 40 

Cces. The gods do this in shame of cowardice: 

Caesar should be a beast without a heart 

If he should stay at home to-day for fear. 

No, Caesar shall not; danger knows full well 44 

That Caesar is more dangerous than he: 

We are two lions litter'd in one day, 

And I the elder and more terrible: 

And Caesar shall go forth. 

Cat. Alas, my lord, 48 

Your wisdom is consumed in confidence. 

Do not go forth to-day: call it my fear 

That keeps you in the house, and not your own. 

Well send Mark Antony to the senate-house, 52 

And he shall say you are not well to-day : 

Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this. 

Cces. Mark Antony shall say I am not well ; 

And, for thy humour, I will stay at home. 56 

Enter Decius. 
Here's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so. 

Dec. Caesar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy Cae- 
sar: 
I come to fetch you to the senate-house. 

Cces. And you are come in very happy time 60 

To bear my greeting to the senators, 
And tell them that I will not come to-day : 
Cannot, is false, and that I dare not, falser; 
I will not come to-day: tell them so, Decius. 64 

Cat. Say he is sick. 

Cces. Shall Caesar send a lie? 

Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far 

To be afeard to tell greybeards the truth £ 

Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come. 6S 

49 confidence: over-confidence 56 humour: whim, caprice 



38 The Tragedy of 

Dec. Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause, 
Lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so. 

Cces. The cause is in my will: I will not come; 
That is enough to satisfy the senate: 72 

But for your private satisfaction, 
Because I love you, I will let you know: 
Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home: 
She dreamt to-night she saw my statue, 76 

Which, like a fountain with a hundred spouts, 
Did run pure blood; and many lusty Romans 
Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it: 
And these does she apply for warnings and por- 
tents, 80 
And evils imminent ; and on her knee 
Hath begg'd that I will stay at home to-day. 

Dec. This dream is all amiss interpreted; 
It was a vision fair and fortunate: 84 

Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, 
In which so many smiling Romans bath'd, 
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck 
Reviving blood, and that great men shall press 
For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance. 89 

This by Calpurnia's dream is signified. 

Cces. And this way have you well expounded it. 

Dec. I have, when you have heard what I can 
say ; 92 

And know it now: the senate have concluded 
To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar. 
If you shall send them word you will not come, 
Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock 96 
Apt to be render'd, for some one to say, 

75 stays: keeps 88 press: crowd about 

89 tinctures: healing medicines; cf. n. stains: assimilable traces 

(tinges) of Cesar's qualities relics: i.e., religious benefits cog- 
nizance: heraldic emblems, i.e., social benefits 
96 mock: gibe 



Julius Ccesar, II. ii 39 

'Break up the senate till another time, 
When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams.' 
If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper, 100 
'Lo, Caesar is afraid'? 

Pardon me, Caesar; for my dear dear love 
To your proceeding bids me tell you this, 
And reason to my love is liable. 104 

Cces. How foolish do your fears seem now, Cal- 
purnia ! 
I am ashamed I did yield to them. 
Give me my robe, for I will go. 

Enter Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus, Casca, Trebonius, 
Cinna, and Publius. 

And look where Publius is come to fetch me. 108 

Pub. Good morrow, Caesar. 

Cces. Welcome, Publius. 

What, Brutus, are you stirr'd so early too? 
Good morrow, Casca. Caius Ligarius, 
Caesar was ne'er so much your enemy 112 

As that same ague which hath made you lean. 
What is 't o'clock ? 

Bru. Caesar, 'tis strucken eight. 

Cces. I thank you for your pains and courtesy. 

Enter Antony. 

See, Antony, that revels long o' nights, 116 

Is notwithstanding up. Good morrow, Antony. 

Ant. So to most noble Caesar. 

Cces. Bid them prepare within: 

I am to blame to be thus waited for. 
Now, Cinna; now, Metellus; what, Trebonius, 
I have an hour's talk in store for you; 121 

Remember that you call on me to-day: 

103 proceeding: career 104 liable: subservient 



40 The Tragedy of 

Be near me, that I may remember you. 

Treb. Caesar, I will: — [Aside. ,] and so near will I 

be, 124 

That your best friends shall wish I had been further. 

Ccbs. Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with 

me; 

And we, like friends, will straightway go together. 

Bru. [Aside.'] That every 'like' is not 'the same/ 

O Caesar, 128 

The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon. Exeunt. 

Scene Three 

[A Street near the Capitol] 

Enter Artemidorus [reading a paper]. 

Art. 'Caesar, beware of Brutus; take heed of 
Cassius; come not near Casca; have an eye to 
Cinna; trust not Trebonius; mark well Metel- 
lus Cimber; Decius Brutus loves thee not; thou 
hast wronged Caius Ligarius. There is but one 
mind in all these men, and it is bent against 
Caesar. If thou beest not immortal, look about 
you: security gives way to conspiracy. The 
mighty gods defend thee ! Thy lover, 9 

Artemidorus.' 

Here will I stand till Caesar pass along, 

And as a suitor will I give him this. 12 

My heart laments that virtue cannot live 

Out of the teeth of emulation. 

If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayest live; 

If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive. Exit. 

128 Cf.n. 129 yearns: grieves 

8 security gives way: unguardedness yields opportunity 

9 lover: friend 

14 Out . . . teeth: free from the bite emulation: grudging jealousy 



Julius Ccesar, II. iv 41 

Scene Four 

[Another part of the same Street, before the house 
of Brutus] 

Enter Portia and Lucius. 

Por. I prithee, boy, run to the senate-house; 
Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone. 
Why dost thou stay? 

Luc. To know my errand, madam. 

Por. I would have had thee there, and here 
again, 4 

Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there. 

constancy, be strong upon my side; 

Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue; 

1 have a man's mind, but a woman's might. 8 
How hard it is for women to keep counsel ! 

Art thou here yet? 

Luc. Madam, what shall I do? 

Run to the Capitol, and nothing else? 
And so return to you, and nothing else? 12 

Por. Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well, 
For he went sickly forth ; and take good note 
What Caesar doth, what suitors press to him. 
Hark, boy ! what noise is that ? 16 

Luc. I hear none, madam. 

Por. Prithee, listen well: 

I heard a bustling rumour, like a fray, 
And the wind brings it from the Capitol. 

Luc. Sooth, madam, I hear nothing. 20 

Enter the Soothsayer. 

Por. Come hither, fellow: which way hast thou 
been ? 

20 Sooth: in truth 



42 The Tragedy of 

Sooth. At mine own house, good lady. 

Por. What is 't o'clock? 

Sooth. About the ninth hour, lady. 

Por. Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol? 24 

Sooth. Madam, not yet: I go to take my stand, 
To see him pass on to the Capitol. 

Por. Thou hast some suit to Caesar, hast thou not? 

Sooth. That I have, lady: if it will please Cae- 
sar 28 
To be so good to Caesar as to hear me, 
I shall beseech him to befriend himself. 

Por. Why, know'st thou any harm's intended 
towards him? 

Sooth. None that I know will be, much that I fear 
may chance. 32 

Good morrow to you. Here the street is narrow: 
The throng that follows Caesar at the heels, 
Of senators, of praetors, common suitors, 
Will crowd a feeble man almost to death: 3fi 

I'll get me to a place more void, and there 
Speak to great Caesar as he comes along. Exit. 

Por. I must go in. Ay me ! how weak a thing 
The heart of woman is. O Brutus, 40 

The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise ! 
Sure, the boy heard me. — Brutus hath a suit 
That Caesar will not grant. — O, I grow faint. — 
Run, Lucius, and commend me to my lord; 44 

Say I am merry: come to me again, 
And bring me word what he doth say to thee. 

Exeunt. 

37 void: open 



Julius Ccesar, III, i 43 

S 

ACT THIRD 

Scene One 
[Before the Capitol] 

Flourish. Enter Ccesar, Brutus, Cassius, Casca, De- 
ems, Metellus, Trebonius, Cinna, Antony, Lepi- 
dus, Artemidorus, [Popilius,] Publius, the Sooth- 
sayer [and Others], 

Cces. [To the Soothsayer.] The ides of March are 
come. 

Sooth. Ay, Caesar; but not gone. 

Art. Hail, Caesar! Read this schedule. 

Dec. Trebonius doth desire you to o'er-read, 4 
At your best leisure, this his humble suit. 

Art. O Caesar, read mine first; for mine's a suit 
That touches Caesar nearer. Read it, great Caesar. 

Cces. What touches us ourself shall be last 
serv'd. 8 

Art. Delay not, Caesar; read it instantly. 

Cces. What, is the fellow mad? 

Pub. Sirrah, give place. 

Cces. What, urge you your petitions in the street? 
Come to the Capitol. 12 

[Ccesar goes up to the Senate-House, the rest 
following.] 

Pop. I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive. 

Cas. What enterprise, Popilius? 

Pop. Fare you well. 

[Advances to Ccesar.] 
Bru. What said Popilius Lena? 

Scene One S. d. Before . . . Capitol; cf. n. 

3 schedule: written scroll 8 serv'd: attended to 



44 . The Tragedy of 

Cas. He wish'd to-day our enterprise might 
thrive. 16 

I fear our purpose is discovered. 

Bru. Look, how he makes to Caesar: mark him. 

Cas. Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention. 
Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known, 20 

Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back, 
For I will slay myself. 

Bru. Cassius, be constant: 

Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes; 
For, look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change. 24 

Cas. Trebonius knows his time; for, look you, 
Brutus, 
He draws Mark Antony out of the way. 

[Exeunt Antony and Trebonius.~\ 

Dec. Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go, 
And presently prefer his suit to Caesar. 28 

Bru. He is address'd; press near and second him. 

Cm. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand. 

Cces. Are we all ready? What is now amiss, 
That Caesar and his senate must redress? 32 

Met. Most high, most mighty, and most puissant 
Caesar, 
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat 
A humble heart, — [Kneeling.'] 

^rCaiir. I must prevent thee, Cimber. 

These couchings and these lowly courtesies, 36 

Might fire the blood of ordinary men, 
And turn pre-ordinance and first decree 
Into the law of children. Be not fond, 

22 constant: unmoved 

28 prefer: present, offer 

29 address'd: ready 

36 couchings: prostrations courtesies: bowings 

38 pre-ordinance: what is already ordained 

39 law of children: arbitrary uncertainty fond: foolish 



Julius Ccesar, III. i 45 

To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood 40 

That will be thaw'd from the true quality 

With that which melteth fools; I mean sweet words, 

Low-crooked curtsies, and base spaniel fawning. 

Thy brother by decree is banished: 44 

If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him, 

I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. 

Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause 

Will he be satisfied. 48 



Met. Is there no voice more worthy than my own, 
To sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear 
For the repealing of my banish'd brother? 

Bru. I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar; 52 
Desiring thee, that Publius Cimber may 
Have an immediate freedom of repeal. 

Cces. What, Brutus ! 

Cas. Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon: 

As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall, 56 

To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber. 

Cces. I could be well mov'd if I were as you; 
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me: 
But I am constant as the northern star, 60 

Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality 
There is no fellow in the firmament. 
The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks, 
They are all fire and every one doth shine, 64 

But there's but one in all doth hold his place: 
So, in the world; 'tis furnish'd well with men, 
And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive; 
Yet in the number I do know but one 68 

40 rebel : ungovernable 42 With: by 

43 Low-crooked: low-bending curtsies: same as 'courtesies' line 36 

spaniel : servile, obsequious 47, 48 Cf. n. 
51 repealing: recalling 

54 freedom of repeal: free, unconditional recall 59 Cf. n. 

61 resting: stationary 63 painted: decorated 
67 apprehensive: intelligent 



46 The Tragedy of 

That unassailable holds on his rank, 

Unshak'd of motion: and that I am he 

Let me a little show it, even in this, 

That I was constant Cimber should be banish'd, 

And constant do remain to keep him so. 73 

Cin. O Caesar, — 

Cces. Hence ! Wilt thou lift up Olympus ? 

Dec. Great Caesar, — 

Cces. Doth not Brutus bootless kneel? 

Casca. Speak, hands, for me ! 76 

They stab Caesar. 

Cces. Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Caesar! Dies. 

Cin. Liberty ! Freedom ! Tyranny is dead ! 
Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets. 

Cas. Some to the common pulpits, and cry out, 80 
'Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement !' 

Bru. People and senators, be not affrighted; 
Fly not; stand still; ambition's debt is paid. 

[Exeunt all but the Conspirators and Publius.^ 

Casca. Go to the pulpit, Brutus. 

Dec. And Cassius too. 84 

Bru. Where's Publius? 

Cin. Here, quite confounded with this mutiny. 

Met. Stand fast together, lest some friend of Cae- 
sar's 
Should chance — 88 

Bru. Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer; 
There is no harm intended to your person, 
Nor to no Roman else ; so tell them, Publius. 

Cas. And leave us, Publius ; lest that the people, 92 
Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief. 

69 holds on: maintains rank: position 

75 bootless: unayailingly_ 

80 common pulpits : public rostra 

89 good cheer: be of good cheer, undismayed 



Julius Ccesar, III. i w 

Bru. Do so; and let no man abide this deed 
But we the doers. [Exit Publius.'] 

Enter Trebonius. 

Cas. Where is Antony? 

Tre. Fled to his house amaz'd. 96 

Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run, 
As it were doomsday. 

Bru. Fates, we will know your pleasures. 

That we shall die, we know ; 'tis but the time 
And drawing days out, that men stand upon. 100 

Casca. Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life 
Cuts off so many years of fearing death. 

Bru. Grant that, and then is death a benefit: 
So are we Caesar's friends, that have abridg'd 104 
His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop, 
And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood 
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords: 
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place; 108 
And waving our red weapons o'er our heads, 
Let's all cry, 'Peace, freedom, and liberty!' 

Cas. Stoop, then, and wash. How many ages hence 
Shall this our lofty scene be acted over, 112 

In states unborn and accents yet unknown! 

Bru. How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport, 
That now on Pompey's basis lies along, 
No worthier than the dust ! 

Cas. So oft as that shall be, 116 

So often shall the knot of us be call'd 
The men that gave their country liberty. 

Dec. What, shall we forth? 

Cas. Ay, every man away: 

94 abide: pay the penalty for 97 wives: women 

100 drawing . . . out: prolonging their life stand upon: lay stress 

on, worry about 
115 Pompey's basis: pedestal of Pompey's statue along: outstretched 
117 knot: group 



48 The Tragedy of 

Brutus shall lead; and we will grace his heels 
With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome. 121 

Enter a Servant. 

Bru. Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony's. 

Serv. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel; 
Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down ; 124 

And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say: 
Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest; 
Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving: 
Say I love Brutus, and I honour him; 128 

Say I fear'd Caesar, honour'd him, and lov'd him. 
If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony 
May safely come to him, and be resolv'd 
How Caesar hath deserv'd to lie in death, 132 

Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead 
So well as Brutus living; but will follow 
The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus 
Thorough the hazards of this untrod state 136 

With all true faith. So says my master Antony. 

Bru. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman; 
I never thought him worse. 
Tell him, so please him come unto this place, 
He shall be satisfied; and, by my honour, 141 

Depart untouch'd. 

Serv. I'll fetch him presently. 

Exit Servant. 

Bru. I know that we shall have him well to friend. 

Cas. I wish we may : but yet have I a mind 
That fears him much ; and my misgiving still 
Falls shrewdly to the purpose. 146 

131 resolv'd: convinced, satisfied 

136 Thorough: throughout untrod: novel, precarious 

140 so please him: if he is willing to 

143 well to friend: as a good friend 

145,146 still . . . purpose: always proves only too well grounded 



Julius Ccesar, III. i 49 

Enter Antony. 

Bru. But here comes Antony. Welcome, Mark 
Antony. 

Ant. O mighty Caesar! dost thou lie so low? 
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, 
Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well. 
I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, 151 

Who else must be let blood, who else is rank: 
If I myself, there is no hour so fit 
As Caesar's death's hour, nor no instrument 
Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich 
With the most noble blood of all this world. 156 

I do beseech ye, if ye bear me hard, 
Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, 
Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years, 
I shall not find myself so apt to die : 160 

No place will please me so, no mean of death, 
As here by Caesar, and by you cut off, 
The choice and master spirits of this age. 

Bru. O Antony ! beg not your death of us. 
Though now we must appear bloody and cruel, 165 
As, by our hands and this our present act, 
You see we do, yet see you but our hands 
And this the bleeding business they have done: 
Our hearts you see not; they are pitiful; 169 

And pity to the general wrong of Rome — 
As fire drives out fire, so pity pity — 
Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part, 
To you our swords have leaden points, Mark An- 
tony : 173 
Our arms in strength of malice, and our hearts 

152 let blood: bled, for medical purposes rank: diseased from sur- 

feiting 159 Live: if I live 160 apt: ready, fit 

161 mean: means 162 by Caesar : beside Ccesar 

174 malice: power {but not wish) to harm; cf. n. 



so The Tragedy of 

Of brothers' temper, do receive you in 

With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence. 176 

Cas. Your voice shall be as strong as any man's 
In the disposing of new dignities. 

Bru. Only be patient till we have appeas'd 
The multitude, beside themselves with fear, 180 

And then we will deliver you the cause 
Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him, 
Have thus proceeded. 

Ant. I doubt not of your wisdom. 

Let each man render me his bloody hand: 184 

First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you ; 
Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand ; 
Now, Decius Brutus, yours; now yours, Metellus; 
Yours, Cinna ; and, my valiant Casca, yours ; 188 

Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius. 
Gentlemen all, — alas ! what shall I say ? 
My credit now stands on such slippery ground, 
That one of two bad ways you must conceit me, 192 
Either a coward or a flatterer. 
That I did love thee, Caesar, O 'tis true: 
If then thy spirit look upon us now, 
> Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death, 196 
To see thy Antony making his peace, 
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes, 
Most noble, in the presence of thy corse? 
Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds, 200 

Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood, 
It would become me better than to close 
In terms of friendship with thine enemies. 
Pardon me, Julius. Here wast thou bay'd, brave 
hart; 204 

178 disposing . . . dignities: distributing . . . offices 

199 corse : corpse 202 close: unite 

204 bay'd: brought to bay hart: stag (an obvious play on words) 



Julius Ccesar, III. i 51 

Here didst thou fall; and here thy hunters stand, 

Sign'd in thy spoil, and crimson'd in thy lethe. 

O world, thou wast the forest to this hart, 

And this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee. 208 

How like a deer, stricken by many princes, 

Dost thou here lie ! 

Cas. Mark Antony, — 

Ant. Pardon me, Caius Cassius: 

The enemies of Caesar shall say this; 212 

Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty. 

Cas. I blame you not for praising Caesar so; 
But what compact mean you to have with us? 
Will you be prick'd in number of our friends, 216 
Or shall we on, and not depend on you? 

Ant. Therefore I took your hands, but was indeed 
Sway'd from the point by looking down on Caesar. 
Friends am I with you all, and love you all, 220 
Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons 
Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous. 

Bru. Or else were this a savage spectacle. 
Our reasons are so full of good regard 224 

That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar, 
You should be satisfied. 

Ant. That's all I seek: 

And am moreover suitor that I may 
Produce his body to the market-place, 228 

And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, 
Speak in the order of his funeral. 

Bru. You shall, Mark Antony. 

Cas. Brutus, a word with you. 

206 Sign'd . . . spoil: bearing the bloody mark of thy slaughter 
lethe: death (f) 212 this: all that he has just been saying 

213 modesty: moderation 
216 prick'd in number: marked in the list 
224 good regard: what deserves approbation 
228 Produce : carry forth 
230 order: course 



52 The Tragedy of 

[Aside to Brutus.'] You know not what you do; do not 
consent 232 

That Antony speak in his funeral: 
Know you how much the people may be mov'd 
By that which he will utter? 

Bru. % By your pardon; 

I will myself into the pulpit first, 236 

And show the reason of our Caesar's death: 
What Antony shall speak, I will protest 
He speaks by leave and by permission, 
And that we are contented Caesar shall 240 

Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies. 
It shall advantage more than do us wrong. 

Cas. I know not what may fall; I like it not. 

Bru. Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar's 
body. 244 

You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, 
But speak all good you can devise of Caesar, 
And say you do 't by our permission ; 
Else shall you not have any hand at all 248 

About his funeral; and you shall speak 
In the same pulpit whereto I am going, 
After my speech is ended. 

Ant. Be it so; 

I do desire no more. 252 

Bru. Prepare the body then, and follow us. 

Exeunt all but Antony. 

Ant. O pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, 
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers; 
Thou art the ruins of the noblest man 256 

That ever lived in the tide of times. 
Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood ! 

235 By . . . pardon: pardon me a moment, and I'll explain 

238 protest: announce 

257 tide of times: ebb and flow of human existence 



Julius Ccesar, III. i 53 

Over thy wounds now do I prophesy, — 

Which like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips, 260 

To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue, — 

A curse shall light upon the limbs of men; 

Domestic fury and fierce civil strife 

Shall cumber all the parts of Italy; 264 

Blood and destruction shall be so in use, 

And dreadful objects so familiar, 

That mothers shall but smile when they behold 

Their infants quarter'd with the hands of war, — 

All pity chok'd with custom of fell deeds ; 269 

And Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge, 

With Ate by his side come hot from hell, 

Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice 

Cry 'Havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war; 278 

That this foul deed shall smell above the earth 

With carrion men, groaning for burial. 

Enter Octavius' Servant. 

You serve Octavius Caesar, do you not? 276 

Serv. I do, Mark Antony. 

Ant. Caesar did write for him to come to Rome. 

Serv. He did receive his letters, and is coming; 
And bid me say to you by word of mouth — 280 

[Seeing the body.] 
O Caasar!— 

Ant. Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep. 
Passion, I see, is catching; for mine eyes, 
Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine, 284 

Began to water. Is thy master coming? 

268 quarter'd: hewn into pieces 

269 custom . . . deeds: the mere frequency of cruel actions 

271 Ate: goddess of discord _ 272 confines: regions 

273 Havoc: the signal for killing without sparing let slip: unleash 

dogs of war; cf. n. 274 That: so that 

275 With rotting corpses, too numerous for the burial that they 

grievously demand 283 Passion: emotion 



54 The Tragedy of 

Serv. He lies to-night within seven leagues of 
Rome. 

Ardtf Post back with speed, and tell him what hath 
(chanc'd^ 
Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, 288 

No Rome of safety for Octavius yet; 
Hie hence and tell him so. Yet, stay awhile; 
Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corpse 
Into the market-place; there shall I try, 292 

In my oration, how the people take 
The cruel issue of these bloody men; 
According to the which thou shalt discourse 
To young Octavius of the state of things. 296 

Lend me your hand. Exeunt [with Ccesar's body]. 



Scene Two 

[The Forum] 

Enter Brutus and [presently] goes into the Pulpit, 
and Cassius, with the Plebeians. 

Plebeians. We will be satisfied: let us be satisfied. 

Bru. Then follow me, and give me audience, 
friends. 
Cassius, go you into the other street, 
And part the numbers. - 4 

Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here; 
Those that will follow Cassius, go with him; 
And public reasons shall be rendered 
Of Caesar's death. 

First Pie. I will hear Erutus speak. 8 

Sec. Pie. I will hear Cassius, and compare their 
reasons, 

294 issue: deed 295 the which: the way in which people act 

4 And divide the throng 



Julius Ccesar, III. ii 55 

When severally we hear them rendered. 

[Exit Cassius, with some of the Plebeians."] 
Third Pie. The noble Brutus is ascended: silence! 
Bru. Be patient till the last. 12 

Romans, countrymen, and lovers, hear .me for 
my cause, and be silent, that you may hear: 
believe me for mine honour, and have respect to 
mine honour, that you may believe: censure me 
in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that 
you may the better judge. If there be any in this 
assembly, any dear friend of Caesar's, to him I 
say, that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than 20 
his. If then that friend demand why Brutus 
rose against Caesar, this is my answer: Not that / 
I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. 
Had you rather Caesar were living, and die all 
slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free 
men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as 
he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was 
valiant, I honour him ; but, as he was ambitious, 28 
I slew him. There is tears, for his love ; j oy, for 
his fortune; honour, for his valour; and death, 
for his ambition. Who is here so base that 
would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him 
have I offended. Who is here so ^ud£s that 33 
would not be a Roman? If any, speak; for him 
have I offended. Who is here so vile that will 
not love his country? If any, speak; for him 
have I offended. I pause for a reply. 37 

All. None, Brutus, none. 

Bru. Then none have I offended. I have 
done no more to Caesar, than you shall do to 
Brutus. The question of his death is enrolled 

12 Give me a patient hearing, till I finish 33 rude: uncivilised 

41 question of : official inquest into enrolled: recorded 



56 The Tragedy of 

in the Capitol; his glory not extenuated, where- 
in he was worthy, nor his offences enforced, for 
which he suffered death. 44 

Enter Mark Antony, with Ccesar's body. 
Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony : 
who, though he had no hand in his death, shall 
receive the benefit of his dying, a place in the 
commonwealth; as which of you shall not? 
With this I depart: that, as I slew my best lover 
for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger 
for myself, when it shall please my country to 
need my death. 52 

All. Live, Brutus! live! live! 
First Pie. Bring him with triumph home unto his 

house. 
Sec. Pie. Give him a statue with his ancestors. 
Third Pie. Let him be Caesar. 
Fourth Pie. Caesar's better parts 

Shall be crown'd in Brutus. 57 

First Pie. We'll bring him to his house with shouts 

and clamours. 
Bru. My countrymen, — 

Sec. Pie. Peace ! silence ! Brutus speaks. 

First Pie. Peace, ho ! 60 

Bru. Good countrymen, let me depart alone, 

And, for my sake, stay here with Antony. 

Do grace to Caesar's corpse, and grace his speech 

Tending to Caesar's glories, which Mark Antony, 

By our permission, is allow'd to make. 65 

I do entreat you, not a man depart, 

Save I alone, till Antony have spoke. Exit. 

First Pie. Stay, ho ! and let us hear Mark An- 
tony. 68 

42 extenuated: belittled 43 enforced: unduly stressed, strained 



Julius Ccesar, III. ii 57 

Third Pie. Let him go up into the public chair; 
We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up. 

Ant. For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you. 

[Goes up.~\ 

Fourth Pie. What does he say of Brutus ? 

Third Pie. He says, for Brutus' sake, 

He finds himself beholding to us all. 73 

Fourth Pie. 'Twere best he speak no harm of 
Brutus here. 

First Pie. This Caesar was a tyrant. 

Third Pie. Nay, that's certain: 

We are bless'd that Rome is rid of him. 76 

Sec. Pie. Peace ! let us hear what Antony can say. 

Ant. You gentle Romans, — 

All. Peace, ho! let us hear him. 

Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your 
ears; 
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. 80 

The evil that men do lives after them, 
The good is oft interred with their bones ; 
So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus 
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious ; 84 

If it were so, it was a grievous fault, 
And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it. 
Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest, — 
For Brutus is an honourable man; 88 

So are they all, all honourable men, — 
Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral. 
He was my friend, faithful and just to me: 
But Brutus says he was ambitious ; 92 

And Brutus is an honourable man. 
He hath brought many captives home to Rome, 
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: 

71 beholding: indebted 86 answer'd: atoned for 

95 general coffers: public treasury 



58 The Tragedy of 

Did this in Caesar seem ambitious ? 96 

When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept; 

Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: 

Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; 

And Brutus is an honourable man. 100 

You all did see that on the Lupercal 

I thrice presented him a kingly crown, 

Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? 

Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; 104 

And, sure, he is an honourable man. 

I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, 

But here I am to speak what I do know. 

You all did love him once, not without cause : 108 

What cause withholds you then to mourn for him? 

judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts, 
And men have lost their reason. Bear with me; 

My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, 112 

And I must pause till it come back to me. 

First Pie. Methinks there is much reason in his 
sayings. 

Sec. Pie. If thou consider rightly of the matter, 
Caesar has had great wrong. 

Third Pie. Has he, masters? 116 

1 fear there will a worse come in his place. 

Fourth Pie. Mark'd ye his words ? He would not 

take the crown; 
Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious. 

First Pie. If it be found so, some will dear abide 

it. 120 

Sec. Pie. Poor soul, his eyes are red as fire with 

weeping. 
Third Pie. There's not a nobler man in Rome than 

Antony. 

101 on the Lupercal: on the day of the Lupercalia 



Julius Ccesar, III. ii 59 

Fourth Pie. Now mark him ; he begins again to 
speak. 

Ant. But yesterday the word of Caesar might 124 
Have stood against the world; now lies he there, 
And none so poor to do him reverence. 

masters, if I were dispos'd to stir 

Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, 128 

1 should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong, 
Who, you all know, are honourable men. 

I will not do them wrong; I rather choose 

To wrong the dead, to wrong myself, and you, 132 

Than I will wrong such honourable men. 

But here's a parchment with the seal of Caesar; 

I found it in his closet ; 'tis his will. 

Let but the commons hear this testament — 136 

Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read — 

And they would go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds, 

And dip their napkins in his sacred blood, 

Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, 140 

And, dying, mention it within their wills, 

Bequeathing it as a rich legacy 

Unto their issue. 

Fourth Pie. We'll hear the will: read it, Mark 
Antony. 144 

All. The will, the will! we will hear Caesar's will! 

Ant. Have patience, gentle friends; I must not 
read it: 
It is not meet you know how Caesar lov'd you. 
You are not wood, you are not stones, but men: 
And, being men, hearing the will of Caesar, 149 

It will inflame you, it will make you mad. 

124, 125 word . . . world: his bare assertion would have carried his 

point against the world 
126 And there are none so humble as to show him any respect 
136 commons: common people 
139 napkins: handkerchiefs 



60 The Tragedy of 

'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs ; 
For if you should, O what would come of it? 

Fourth Pie. Read the will ! we'll hear it, An- 
tony ; 153 
You shall read us the will, Caesar's will. 

Ant. Will you be patient? Will you stay awhile? 
I have o'ershot myself to tell you of it. 156 

I fear I wrong the honourable men 
Whose daggers have stabb'd Caesar; I do fear it. 

Fourth Pie. They were traitors : honourable men ! 

All. The will! the testament! 160 

Sec. Pie. They were villains, murderers. The will ! 
read the will. 

Ant. You will compel me then to read the will? 
Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar, 
And let me show you him that made the will. 164 

Shall I descend? And will you give me leave? 

All. Come down. 

Sec. Pie. Descend. 

Third Pie. You shall have leave. 168 

Fourth Pie. A ring; stand round. 

First Pie. Stand from the hearse ; stand from the 
body. [Antony comes down.] 

Sec. Pie. Room for Antony, most noble Antony. 

Ant. Nay, press not so upon me; stand far off. 172 

All. Stand back! room! bear back! 

Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. 
You all do know this mantle: I remember 
The first time ever Caesar put it on; 176 

'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent, 
That day he overcame the Nervii. 
Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through: 
See what a rent the envious Casca made: 180 

178 That day: on the day on which; cf. n. 



Julius Coesar, III. ii 61 

Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd; 

And, as he pluck'd his cursed steel away, 

Mark how the blood of Caesar follow'd it, 

As rushing out of doors, to be resolv'd 184 

If Brutus so unkindly knock'd or no; 

For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's jaflgeL* 

Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar lov'd him. 

This was the most unkindest cut of all; 188 

For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, 

Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, 

Quite vanquish'd him: then burst his mighty heart; 

And, in his mantle muffling up his face, 192 

Even at the base of Pompey's statue, 

Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell. 

O, what a fall was there, my countrymen ! 

Then I, and you, and all of us fell down, 196 

Whilst bloody treason flourished over us. 

O now you weep, and I perceive you feel 

The dint of pity; these are gracious drops. 

Kind souls, what, weep you when you but behold 200 

Our Caesar's vesture wounded? Look you here, 

Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors. 

First Pie. O piteous spectacle ! 

Sec. Pie. O noble Caesar ! 204 

Third Pie. O woeful day ! 

Fourth Pie. O traitors ! villains ! 

First Pie. O most bloody sight ! 

Sec. Pie. We will be revenged. 208 

[All.] Revenge !— About ! — Seek !— Burn ! 
Fire !— Kill !— Slay ! Let not a traitor live ! 

Ant. Stay, countrymen, — 

First Pie. Peace there ! Hear the noble Antony. 

186 angel: dear as his guardian spirit 
199 dint: impression 



62 The Tragedy of 

Sec. Pie. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll 
die with him ! 213 

Ant. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir 
you up 
To such a sudden flood of mutiny. 
They that have done this deed are honourable: 
What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, 217 
That made them do it; they are wise and honourable, 
And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. 
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts : 
I am no orator, as Brutus is ; 221 

But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, 
That love my friend; and that they know full well 
That gave me public leave to speak of him. 
For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, 225 

..Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech, 
To stir men's blood: I only speak right on; 
I tell you that which you yourselves do know, 
Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor poor dumb 
mouths, 229 

And bid them speak for me: but were I Brutus, 
And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony 
Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue 
In every wound of Ceesar, that should move 233 

The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny. 

All. We'll mutiny. 

First Pie. We'll burn the house of Brutus. 

Third Pie. Away, then! Come, seek the con- 
spirators. 237 

Ant. Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak. 

All. Peace, ho! — Hear Antony, most noble An- 
tony! 

226 Action, nor utterance: orator's powers of gesticulation and elo- 
cution 

227 right on: with simple straightforwardness 232 ruffle: stir 



Julius Ccesar, III. ii 63 

Ant. Why, friends, you go to do you know not 
what. 240 

Wherein hath Caesar thus deserv'd your loves? 
Alas, you know not: I must tell you then. 
You have forgot the will I told you of. 

All. Most true. The will! Let's stay and hear 
the will. 244 

Ant. Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal. 
To every Roman citizen he gives, 
To every several man, seventy-five drachmas. 

Sec. Pie. Most noble Caesar ! We'll revenge his 
death. 248 

Third Pie. O royal Caesar! 

Ant. Hear me with patience. 

All. Peace, ho! 

Ant. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, 252 
His private arbours, and new-planted orchards, 
On this side Tiber; he hath left them you, 
And to your heirs for ever; common pleasures, 
To walk abroad and recreate yourselves. 256 

Here was a Caesar! When comes such another? 

First Pie. Never, never ! Come, away, away ! 
We'll burn his body in the holy place, 
And with the brands fire the traitors' houses. 
Take up the body. 261 

Sec. Pie. Go fetch , fire. 

Third Pie. Pluck down benches. 

Fourth Pie. Pluck down forms, windows, any- 
thing. Exeunt Plebeians [with the body]. 

Ant. Now let it work: mischief, thou art afoot; 265 
Take thou what course thou wilt! 

Enter Servant. 

247 drachmas: Greek coins; cf. n. 254 this; cf. n. 

255 pleasures: pleasure-grounds (in which) 264 forms: long seats 



64 The Tragedy of 

How now, fellow ! 

Serv. Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome. 

Ant. Where is he? 268 

Serv. He and Lepidus are at Caesar's house. 

Ant. And thither will I straight to visit him. 
He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry, 
And in this mood will give us anything. 272 

Serv. I heard him say Brutus and Cassius 
Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome. 

Ant. Belike they had some notice of the people, 275 
How I had mov'd them. Bring me to Octavius. 

Exeunt. 

Scene Three 

[A Street] 

Enter Cinna, the Poet, and after him the Plebeians. 

Cin. I dreamt to-night that I did feast with Caesar, 
And things unluckily charge my fantasy: 

1 have no will to wander forth of doors, 

Yet something leads me forth. 4 

First Pie. What is your name ? 
Sec. Pie. Whither are you going? 
Third Pie. Where do you dwell? 
Fourth Pie. Are you a married man, or a 
bachelor ? 9 

Sec. Pie. Answer every man directly. 
First Pie. Ay, and briefly. 

Fourth Pie. Ay, and wisely. 12 

Third Pie. Ay, and truly, you were best. 
Cin. What is my name? Whither am I 

271 upon a wish: as if at my wish 

2 unluckily . . . fantasy: weigh upon my fancy ominously 
13 you were best: it would be best for you 



Julius Ccesar, III, in 65 

going? Where do I dwell? Am I a married 
man, or a bachelor? Then, to answer every 
man directly and briefly, wisely and truly: 
wisely I say, I am a bachelor. 18 

Sec. Pie. That's as much as to say, they are 
fools that marry; you'll bear me a bang for 
that, I fear. Proceed; directly. 21 

Cin. Directly, I am going to Caesar's funeral. 

First Pie. As a friend or an enemy ? 

Cin. As a friend. 24 

Sec. Pie. That matter is answered directly. 

Fourth Pie. For your dwelling, briefly? 

Cin. Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol. 

Third Pie. Your name, sir, truly? 28 

Cin. Truly, my name is Cihna. 

Sec. Pie. Tear him to pieces ; he's a con- 
spirator ! 

Cin. I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the 
poet ! 33 

Fourth Pie. Tear him for his bad verses, tear 
him for his bad verses ! 

Cin. I am not Cinna the conspirator! 

Sec. Pie. It is no matter, his name's Cinna ; 
pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn 
him going. 39 

Third Pie. Tear him, tear him! Come, 
brands, ho ! Firebrands ! To Brutus', to Cassius' ; 
burn all. Some to Decius' house, and some to 
Casca's ; some to Ligarius'. Away ! Go ! 43 

Exeunt all the Plebeians. 

20 bear me a bang: get a blow from me 
26 For: notv for 



C6 The Tragedy of 

ACT FOURTH 

Scene One 

[A Room in Antony's House] 

Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus [seated at a table]. 

Ant. These many then shall die; their names are 

prick'd. 
Oct. Your brother too must die; consent you, 

Lepidus ? 
Lep. I do consent. 

Oct. Prick him down, Antony. 

Lep. Upon condition Publius shall not live, 4 

Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony. 

Ant. He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn 
him. 
But, Lepidus, go you to Caesar's house ; 
^Fetc h_th e will hither, and we shall determine 8 

How to cut off some charge in legacies. 
Lep. What, shall I find you here? 
Oct. Or here or at the Capitol. Exit Lepidus. 

Ant. This is a slight unmeritable man, 12 

eet to be sent on errands : is it fit, 
^^hethree^fold worlddiyi^edj he should stand 
One of the three to share it? 

Oct. So you thought him; 

And took his voice who should be prick'd to die, 16 
In our black sentence and proscription. 

Ant. Octavius, I have seen more days than you: 

6 with . . . him: by a mark 'pricked' opposite his name, I condemn 

him 
9 cut . . . charge: redttec some expenditures {by killing the legatees) 
/12 unmeritable: without merit 

' 14 The . . . divided: if the world is to be divided into three parts 
17 In the black sentence of our proscription 



M< 
/Til 



Julius Ccesar, IV. i 67 

And though we lay these honours on this man, 
To ease ourselves of divers slanderous loads, 20 

He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold, 
To groan and sweat under the business, 
Either led or driven, as we point the way; 
And having brought our treasure where we will, 24 
Then take we down his load, and turn him off, 
J^ke_to_the empty ass, to shake his ears, 
And graze in commons. 

Oct. You may do your will; 

But he's a tried and valiant soldier. 28 

Ant. So is my horse, Octavius; and for that 
I do appoint him store of provender. 
It is a creature that I teach to fight, 
To wind, to stop, to run directly on, 32 

His corporal motion govern'd by my spirit. 
And, in some taste, is Lepidus but so; 
He must be taught, and train'd, and bid go forth ; 
A barren-spirited fellow; one that feeds 36 

On objects, arts, and imitations 
Which, out of use and stal'd by other men, 
Begin his fashion: do not talk of him 



But as a property. And now, Octavius, 40 

Listen great things: Brutus and Cassius 
Are levying powers; we must straight make head; 
Therefore let our alliance be combin'd, 
Our best friends made, and our best means stretch'd 
out ; 44 

26 empty: unladen, worthless 27 commons: public pasture 
30 appoint: assign 32 wind: turn 
34 taste: measure, degree 36 barren-spirited: lacking initiative 

27 objects: objects of interest, in general; cf. n. arts: works of art; 
cf. n. imitations: conventional forms, empty counterfeits 

38 stal'd: outworn, made stale 
*29 Begin his fashion: are to him the height of fashion 
40 property: instrument, tool 41 Listen : hear 

42 powers: armed forces make head: raise an army 

43 combin'd: confirmed 

44 made: made sure stretch'd out: strained to the utmost 



68 The Tragedy of 

And let us presently go sit in council, 
How covert matters may be best disclos'd, 
And open perils surest answered. 

Oct. Let us do so: for we are at the stake, 48 

And bay'd about with many enemies; 
And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear, 
Millions of mischiefs. Exeunt, 



Scene Two 
[Camp near Sardis. Before Brutus* Tent] 

Drum. Enter Brutus, Lucilius, [Lucius,'] and the 
Army. Titinius and Pindarus meet them. 

Bru. Stand, ho ! 

Lucil. Give the word, ho ! and stand ! 

Bru. What now, Lucilius! is Cassius near? 

Lucil. He is at hand; and Pindarus is come 4 

To do you salutation from his master. 

Bru. He greets me well. Your master, Pindarus, 
In his own change, or by ill officers, 
Hath given me some worthy cause to wish 8 

Things done, undone; but, if he be at hand, 
I shall be satisfied. 

Pin. I do not doubt 

But that my noble master will appear 
Such as he is, full of regard and honour. 12 

Bru. He is not doubted. A word, Lucilius; 
How he receiv'd you, let me be resolv'd. 

Lucil. With courtesy and with respect enough; 

46 covert: hidden disclos'd: discovered 

47 answered : faced, met 48, 49 Cf. n. 
1 Stand: halt 2 Give the word: pass along the command 
7 Owing to a change in himself, or through misconduct of subordi- 
nates 12 full . . . honour: worthy of honorable regard 



Julius Ccesar, IV. ii 69 

But not with such familiar instances, 16 

Nor with such free and friendly conference, 
As he hath us'd of old. 

Bru. Thou hast describ'd 

A hot friendjcooling. Ever note, Lucilius, 
When love begins to sicken and decay, 20 

jit useth an enforced ceremony. 
There are no tricks in plain and simple faith; 
But hollow men, like horses hot at hand, 
Make gallant show and promise of their mettle; 24 
But when they should endure the bloody spur, 
They fall their crests, and, like deceitful jades, 
I Sink in the trial. Comes his army on? 

Lucil. They mean this night in Sardis to be 
quarter'd; 28 

The greater part, the horse in general, 
Are come with Cassius. 

Bru. Hark! he is arriv'd. 

Low march within. 
March gently on to meet him. 

Enter Cassius and his Powers. 

Cas. Stand, ho! 32 

Bru. Stand, ho! Speak the word along. 
[First Officer.] Stand! 
[Sec. Officer.] Stand! 

[Third Officer.] Stand! 36 

Cas. Most noble brother, you have done me wrong. 
Bru. Judge me, you gods ! Wrong I mine enemies ? 
And, if not so, how should I wrong a brother? 

16 familiar instances: marks of familiarity 

23 hollow: insincere hot at hand: fiery at the start, only 

26 fall: let fall, lower jades: worthless nags 

27 Sink . . . trial: fail in the pinch 
29 the horse in general: all the cavalry 
31 gently: slowly 



I 



70 



The Tragedy ef 



Cas. Brutus j this sober form of yours hides 
wrongs ; 40 

And when you do them — 

Bru. Cassius, be content; 

Speak your griefs softly: I do know you well. 
Before the eyes of both our armies here, 
Which should perceive nothing but love from us, 44 
Let us not wrangle: bid them move away; 
Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge your griefs, 
And I will give you audience. 

Cas. Pindarus, 

Bid our commanders lead their charges off 48 

A little from this ground. 

Bru. Lucilius, do you the like; and let no man 
Come to our tent till we have done our conference. 
Let Lucius and Titinius guard our door. 52 

Exeunt. 



Scene Three 
[Within the Tent of Brutus] 
[Enter] Brutus and Cassius. 

Cas. That you have wrong'd me doth appear in 
this: 
You have, c(^ mn'^ an d not e fl,, I fln Alfl Jffif&_ 
For taking bribes here of the Sardians; 
Wherein my letters, praying on his side, 4 

Because I knew the man, were slighted off. 

Bru. You wrong'd yourself to write in such a case. 

Cas. In such a time as this it is not meet 

40 sober form: calm behavior 42 softly: gently 

46 enlarge: set forth fully Scene Three S. d.; cf. n. 

2 noted: stigmatised 4 praying . . . side: interceding for him 
5 slighted off: tossed slightingly aside 



Julius Cmsw, IV, in 7i 

That every nice offence should bear his comment. 8 

Bru. Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself 
Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm; 
To sell and mart your offices for gold 
To undeservers. 

Cas. I an itching palm! 12 

You know that you are Brutus that speaks this, 
Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last. 

Bru. The name of Cassius honours this corruption, 
And chastisement doth therefore hide his head. 

Cas. Chastisement! 17 

Bru. Remember March, the ides of March remem- 
ber: 
Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? 
What villain touch'd his body, that did stab, 20 

And not for justice? What! shall one of us, 
That struck the foremost man of all this world 
But for supporting robbers, shall we now 
Contaminate our fingers with base bribes, 24 

And sell the mighty space of our large honours 
For so much trash as may be grasped thus? 
I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon, 
Than such a Roman. 

Cas. Brutus, bay not me; 28 

I'll not endure it: you forget yourself, 
To hedge me in. I am a soldier, I, 
Older in practice, abler than yourself 
To make conditions. 

Bru. Go to; you are not, Cassius. 32 

8 nice: trivial bear . . . comment: be censured 

10 condemn'd to have: blamed for having 11 mart: market 

15 honours . . = corruption: sanctions this corrupt practice 
-20, 21 What . . . justice; cf. n. 
23 robbers: his dishonest favorites 

25, 26 Cf. n. \ 27 bay: bark at 

28 Cf. n. \ 31 practice: experience 

32 make conditions: determine the proper treatment of subordinates 
(referring to lines 1-5) Go to : Nonsense! 



72 The Tragedy of 

Cas. I am. 

Bru. I say you are not. 

Cas. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; 
Have mind upon your health; tempt me no fur- 
. ther. 36 

Bru. Away, slight man ! 

Cas. Is 't possible? 

Bru. Hear me, for I will speak. 

Must I give way and room to your rash choler? 
Shall I be frighted when a madman stares? 40 

Cas. O ye gods, ye gods ! Must I endure all this ? 

Bru. All this! ay, more: fret till your proud heart 
break ; 
Go show your slaves how choleric you are, 
And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge ? 44 
Must I observe you ? Must I stand and crouch 
Under your testy humour? By the gods, 
You shall digest the venom of your spleen, 
Though it do split you; for, from this day forth, 48 
I'll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter, 
When you are waspish. 

Cas. Is it come to this ? 

Bru. You say you are a better soldier: 
Let it appear so; make your vaunting true, 52 

And it shall please me well. For mine own part, 
I shall be glad to learn of noble men. 

Cas. You wrong me every way; you wrong me, 
Brutus ; 
I said an elder soldier, not a better: 56 

Did I say, 'better'? 

Bru. If you did, I care not. 

Cas. When Caesar liv'd, he durst not thus have 
mov'd me. 

36 Have . . . health: have regard for your safety 

44 budge: flinch 45 observe: pay humble reverence to 



Julius Ccesar, IV. Hi 73 

Bru. Peace, peace! you durst not so have tempted 
him. 

Cas ^l durst not? 60 

Bru. No. 

Cas. What, durst not tempt him? 

Bru. For your life you durst not. 

Cas. Do not presume too much upon my love; 
I may do that I shall be sorry for. 64 

Bru. You have done that you should be sorry for. 
There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats; 
For I am arm'd so strong in honesty 
That they pass by me as the idle wind, 68 

Which I respect not. I did send to you 
For certain sums of gold, which you denied me; 
For I can raise no money by vile means: 
By heaven, I had rather coin my heart, 72 

And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring 
From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash 
By any indirection. I did send 

To you for gold to pay my legions, 76 

Which you denied me: was that done like Cassius? 
Should I have answer'd Caius Cassius so? 
When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous, 
To lock such rascal counters from his friends, 80 

Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts ; 
Dash him to pieces ! 

Cas. I denied you not. 

Bru. You did. 

Cas. I did not: he was but a fool 

That brought my answer back. Brutus hath riv'd 
my heart. 84 

A friend should bear his friend's infirmities, 

69 respect: heed 

75 indirection: dishonesty, crooked dealing 

80 rascal counters: worthless pelf 84 riv'd: cleft 



74 The Tragedy of 

But Brutus makes mine greater than they are. 

Bru. I do not, till you practise them on me. 

Cas. You love me not. 

Bru. I do not like your faults. 88 

Cas. A friendly eye could never see such faults. 

Bru. A flatterer's would not, though (they do appear 
As huge as high Olympus) 

Cas. Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come, 92 
Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius, 
For Cassius is aweary of the world; 
Hated by one he loves ; brav'd by his brother ; 
Check'd like a bondman; all his faults observ'd, 96 
Set in a note-book, learn'd, and conn'd by rote, 
To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep 
My spirit from mine eyes. There is my dagger, 
And here my naked breast; within, a heart 100 

Dearer than Pluto's mine, richer than gold: 
If that thou be'st a Roman, take it forth; 
I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart: 
Strike, as thou didst at Caesar; for, I know, 104 

When thou didst hate him worst, thou lov'dst him 

better 
Than ever thou lov'dst Cassius. 

Bru. Sheathe your dagger: 

Be angry when you will, it shall have scope; 
Do what you will, dishonour shall be humour. 108 
O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb 
That carries anger as the flint bears fire, 
Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark, 
And straight is cold again. 

95 brav'd: blusteringly taunted 96 Check'd: scolded 

97 learn'd . . . rote: studied, and learned by heart 
101 Dearer: worth more Pluto's; cf. n. 

107 it . . . scope: your anger shall not be opposed 

108 dishonour . . . humour: your dishonorable deeds shall be ig- 
nored as caprices 109-112 Cf.n. 



Julius Ccesar, IV. in 75 

Cas. Hath Cassius liv'd 112 

To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus, 
When grief and blood ill-temper'd vexeth him? 

Bru. When I spoke that I was ill-temper'd too. 

Cas. Do you confess so much? Give me your 
hand. 116 

Bru. And my heart too. 

Cas. O Brutus ! 

Bru. What's the matter? 

Cas. Have not you love enough to bear with me, 
When that rash humour which my mother gave me 
Makes me forgetful? 

Bru. Yes, Cassius; and from henceforth 

When you are over-earnest with your Brutus, 121 
He'll think your mother chides, and leave you so. 

Poet. [Within. 1 Let me go in to see the generals; 
There is some grudge between 'em, 'tis not meet 
They be alone. 125 

Lucil. [Within.'] You shall not come to them. 

Poet. [Within.'] Nothing but death shall stay me. 

Enter a Poet [followed by Lucilius, Titinius, and 
Lucius]. 

Cas. How now! What's the matter? 128 

Poet. For shame, you generals ! What do you 
mean ? 
Love, and be friends, as two such men should be; 
For I have seen more years, I'm sure, than ye, 
Cas. Ha, ha ! how vilely doth this c^nie rime ! 
Bru. Get you hence, sirrah; saucy fellow, 
hence ! 133 

Cas. Bear with him, Brutus; 'tis his fashion. 

114 blood ill-temper'd: disordered condition 

132 cynic: so called because Diogenes affected rudeness 



76 The Tragedy of 



Bru. I'll 


know 


his 


humour, 


when 


he knows 


his 


time: 


















What should the 


wars 


do 


with 


these 


jigging 


fools ? 
















136 


Companion, 


hence ! 
















Cas. 




1 


Wai 


7, aw 


ay: be 


gone! 







Exit Poet. 

Bru. Lucilius and Titinius, bid the commanders 
Prepare to lodge their companies to-night. 

Cas. And come yourselves, and bring Messala with 
you, 140 

Immediately to us. 

[Exeunt Lucilius and Titinius. ~\ 

Bru. Lucius, a bowl of wine! [Exit Lucius.] 

Cas. I did not think you could have been so angry. 

Bru. O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs. 

Cas. Of your philosophy you make no use, 144 

If you give place to accidental evils. 

Bru. No man bears sorrow better: Portia is dead. 

Cas. Ha? Portia? 

Bru. She is dead. 148 

Cas. How 'scap'd I killing when I cross'd you so? 
O insupportable and touching loss ! 
Upon what sickness ? 

Bru. Impatient of my absence. 

And grief that young Octavius with Mark An- 
tony 152 
Have made themselves so strong; — for with her death 
That tidings came: — with this she fell distract, 
And, her attendants absent, ^wajloVd fire^ 

135 I'll listen to his folly when he learns 'the proper time for it 

136 jigging: doggerel rhyming 

137 Companion: base fellow 

139 lodge . . . to-night: encamp for the night 

145 give . . . accidental : admit the power of casual 

151 Upon: of Impatient of : unable to endure 

152 grief; cf. n. 154 fell distract: became distracted 



Julius Ceesar, IT, iii 77 

Cas. And died so ? 

Bru. Even so. 

Cas. O ye immortal gods! 156 

Enter Boy [Lucius'], with wine and tapers. 

Bru. Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of 
wine. 
In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius. Drinks. 

Cas. My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge. 
Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the s cup; 160 

I I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love^ [Drinks.] 
Bru. Come in, Titinius. [Exit Lucius.] 

Enter Titinius and Messala. 

Welcome, good Messala. 
Now sit we close about this taper here, 
And call in question our necessities. 164 

Cas. Portia, art thou gone? 

Bru. No more, I pray you. 

Messala, I have here received letters, 
That young Octavius and Mark Antony 
Come down upon us with a mighty power, 168 

Bending their expedition towards Philippi. 

Mes. Myself have letters of the self-same tenour. 

Bru. With what addition? 

Mes. That by proscription and bills of out- 
lawry, 172 
Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus, 
Have put to death an hundred senators. 

Bru. Therein our letters do not well agree; 
Mine speak of seventy senators that died 176 

By their proscriptions, Cicero being one. 

Cas. Cicero one? 

164 call in question: bring up for discussion 

169 Bending . . . expedition : directing their march 



78 The Tragedy #/ 

Mes. Cicero is dead, 

And by that order of proscription. 
Had you your letters from your wife, my lord? 

Bru. No, Messala. 181 

Mes. Nor nothing in your letters writ of her? 

Bru. Nothing, Messala. 

Mes. That, methinks, is strange. 

Bru. Why ask you? Hear you aught of her in 
yours ? 184 

Mes. No, my lord. 

Bru. Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true. 

Mes. Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell: 
For certain she is dead, and by strange manner. 

Bru. Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Mes- 
sala : 189 
With meditating that she must die once, 
I have the patience to endure it now. 

Mes. Even so great men great losses should en- 
dure. 192 

Cas. I have as much of this in art as you, 
But yet my nature could not bear it so. 

Bru. Well, to our work alive. What do you think 
Of marching to Philippi presently? 196 

Cas. I do not think it good. 

Bru. Your reason? 

Cas. This is it: 

'Tis better that the enemy seek us : 
So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers, 
Doing himself offence; whilst we, lying still, 200 

Are full of rest, defence, and nimbleness. 

Bru. Good reasons must, of force, give place to 
better. 

183 Nothing, Messala; cf. n. 

190 once: some day 193 art: theory 

195 alive: which concerns the living 202 force: necessity 



Julius Ccesar, IV. Hi 79 

The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground 

Do stand but in a forc'd affection ; 204 

For they have grudg'd us contribution: 

The enemy, marching along by them, 

By them shall make a fuller number up, 

Come on ref resh'd, new-added, and encourag'd ; 

From which advantage shall we cut him off, 209 

If at Philippi we do face him there, 

These people at our back. 

Cas. Hear me, good brother. 

Bru. Under your pardon. You must note be- 
side, 212 
That we have tried the utmost of our friends, 
Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe: 
The enemy increaseth every day; 
We, at the height, are ready to decline. 216 
There is a tide in the affairs of men, 
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; 
Omitted, all the voyage of their life 
Is bound in shallows and in miseries. 220 
On such a full sea are we now afloat; 
And we must take the current when it serves, 
Or lose our ventures. 

Cas. Then, with your will, go on; 

We'll along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi. 224 

Bru. 1 The deep of night is crept upon our talk,^| 
And nature must obey necessity, 
Which we will niggard with a little rest. 
There is no more to say? 

204 Are friendly to us only under compulsion 

208 new-added: newly augmented 

213 That we have drawn on our friends to the utmost 

219 Omitted: if it is neglected 

220 bound in: confined to 
223 ventures: investments with your will: according to your prefer' 

ence 
227 So to nature's need we will dole out a little rest 






so The Tragedy of 

Cas. No more. Good-night: 228 

Early to-morrow will we rise, and hence. 
Bru. Lucius ! 

Enter Lucius. 

My gown. [Exit Lucius.] 

Farewell, good Messala: 
Good-night, Titinius. Noble, noble Cassius, 
Good-night, and good repose. 

Cas. O my dear brother! 232 

This was an ill beginning of the night: 
Never come such division 'tween our souls ! 
Let it not, Brutus. 

Bru. Everything is well. 

Cas. Good-night, my lord. 

Bru. Good-night, good brother. 236 

Tit. 

M ' Good-night, Lord Brutus. 

Bru. Farewell, every one. 

Exeunt [all but Brutus]. 

Enter Lucius, with the gown. 

Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument? 

Luc. Here in the tent. 

Bru. What, thou speak'st drowsily? 

Poor knave, I blame thee not; thou art o'er- 
watch'd. 240 

Call Claudius and some other of my men; 
I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent. 

Luc. Varro ! and Claudius ! 

Enter Varro and Claudius. 

Far. Calls my lord? 244 

Bru. I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep: 

240 knave: boy o'er-watch'd: worn out by lack of sleep 



Julius Ccesar, IV. Hi 81 

It may be I shall raise you by and by 
On business to my brother Cassius. 

Var. So please you, we will stand and watch your 
pleasure. 248 

Bru. I will not have it so ; lie down, good sirs ; 
It may be I shall otherwise bethink me. 

\Varro and Claudius lie down.'] 
Look, Lucius, here's the book I sought for so; 
I put it in the pocket of my gown. 252 

Luc. I was sure your lordship did not give it me. 

Bru. Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful. 
Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile, 
And touch thy instrument a strain or two? 256 

Luc. Ay, my lord, an 't please you. 

Bru. It does, my boy: 

I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing. 

Luc. It is my duty, sir. 

Bru. I should not urge thy duty past thy 
might ; 260 

I know young bloods look for a time of rest. 

Luc. I have slept, my lord, already. 

Bru. It was well done, and thou shalt sleep again; 
I will not hold thee long: if I do live, 264 

I will be good to thee. Music, and a Song. 

This is a sleepy tune: O murderous slumber, 
Lay'st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy, 
That plays thee music? Gentle knave, good- 
night ; 268 
I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee. 
If thou dost nod, thou break'st thy instrument; 
I'll take it from thee; and, good boy, good-night. 

246 raise: rouse 248 watch: wakefully await 

254 much: very 

256 Play a tune or two on thy lute 

266 murderous: because rendering apparently lifeless 

267 leaden: dull and heavy mace: bailiff's staff for arresting people 



82 The Tragedy of 

Let me see, let me see; is not the leaf turn'd 
down 272 

Where I left reading? Here it is, I think. 

Enter the Ghost of Ccesar. 

How ill this taper burns. Ha! Who comes here? 

I think it is the weakness of mine eyes 

That shapes this monstrous apparition. 276 

It comes upon me. Art thou anything? 

Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil, 

That mak'st my blood cold and my hair to stare? 

Speak to me what thou art. 280 

Ghost. Thy evil spirit, Brutus. 

Bru. Why com'st thou? 

Ghost. To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi. 

Bru. Well; then I shall see thee again? 

Ghost. Ay, at Philippi. 

Bru. Why, I will see thee at Philippi then. 284 

[Exit Ghost.] 
Now I have taken heart, thou vanishest: 
111 spirit, I would hold more talk with thee. 
Boy, Lucius ! Varro ! Claudius ! Sirs, awake ! 
Claudius ! 288 

Luc. The strings, my lord, are false. 

Bru. He thinks he still is at his instrument. 
Lucius, awake ! 

Luc. My lord! 292 

Bru. Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst 
out? 

Luc. My lord, I do not know that I did cry. 

Bru. Yes, that thou didst. Didst thou see any- 
thing ? 

Luc. Nothing, my lord. 296 

274 How . . . burns: accepted sign of an apparition's presence 

277 upon: towards 279 stare: stand on end 



Julius Ccesar, V. i 83 

Bru. Sleep again, Lucius. Sirrah, Claudius ! 
Fellow thou, awake ! 

Var. My lord! 

Clau. My lord! 300 

Bru. Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep? 

Both. Did we, my lord? 

Bru. Ay: saw you anything? 

Var. No, my lord, I saw nothing. 

Clau. Nor I, my lord. 

Bru. Go, and commend me to my brother Cas- 
sius : 304 

Bid him set on his powers betimes before, 
And we will follow. 

Both. It shall be done, my lord. Exeunt. 



ACT FIFTH 

Scene One 

[The Plains of Philippi] 

Enter Octavius, Antony, and their Army. 

Oct. Now, Antony, our hopes are answered: 
You said the enemy would not come down, 
But keep the hills and upper regions ; 
It proves not so; their battles are at hand; 4 

They mean to warn us at Philippi here, 
Answering before we do demand of them. 

Ant. Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know 
Wherefore they do it: they could be content 8 

To visit other places ; and come down 

1 answered : fulfilled 4 battles: battalions 

5 warn: summon, challenge 7 bosoms: secrets 



84 The Tragedy of 

With fearful bravery, thinking by this face 

To fasten in our thoughts that they have courage ; 

But 'tis not so. 

Enter a Messenger. 

Mess. Prepare you, generals: 12 

The enemy comes on in gallant show; 
Their bloody sign of battle is hung out, 
And something to be done immediately. 

Ant. Octavius, lead your battle softly on, 16 

Upon the left hand of the even field. 

Oct. Upon the right hand I; keep thou the left. 

Ant. Why do you cross me in this exigent? 

Oct. I do not cross you; but I will do so. 20 

March. 

Drum. Enter Brutus, Cassius, and their Army. 

Bru. They stand, and would have parley. 
Cas. Stand fast, Titinius : we must out and talk. 
Oct. Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle? 
Ant. No, Caesar, we will answer on their 
charge. 24 

Make forth; the generals would have some words. 
Oct. [To his troops.'] Stir not until the signal. 
Bru. Words before blows: is it so, countrymen? 
Oct. Not that we love words better, as you do. 28 
Bru. Good words are better than bad strokes, 

Octavius. 
Ant. In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good 
words : 
Witness the hole you made in Cesar's heart, 

10 fearful bravery: cowardly bravado face: pretense 

14 bloody . . . battle: signal for immediate combat 

17 even: equally divided 19 exigent: emergency 

20 but . . . so: but I shall do as I said 21 parley: conference 

24 answer . . . charge: fight when they attack 

25 Make forth: step forward 

30 In . . . strokes: while delivering foul blows 



Julius Ccesar, V.i 85 

Crying, 'Long live ! Hail, Caesar !' 

Cas. Antony, 32 

The posture of your blows are yet unknown ; 
But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees, 
And leave them honeyless. 

Ant. Not stingless too! 

Bru. O yes, and soundless too; 36 

For you have stol'n their buzzing, Antony, 
And very wisely threat before you sting. 

Ant. Villains! you did not so when your vile 
daggers 
Hack'd one another in the sides of Caesar: 40 

You show'd your teeth like apes, and fawn'd like 

hounds, 
And bow'd like bondmen, kissing Caesar's feet; 
Whilst damned Casca, like a cur, behind 
Struck Caesar on the neck. O you flatterers ! 44 

Cas. Flatterers! Now, Brutus, thank yourself: 
This tongue had not offended so to-day, 
If Cassius might have rul'd. 

Oct. Come, come, the cause: if arguing make us 
sweat, 48 

The proof of it will turn to redder drops. 
Look: 

I draw a sword against conspirators ; 
When think you that the sword goes up again ? 52 

Never, till Caesar's three-and-thirty wounds 
Be well aveng'd; or till another Caesar 
Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors. 

Bru. Caesar, thou canst not die by traitors' 
hands, 56 

33 posture: nature (?) are: a plural by attraction 

34 Hybla: town in Sicily, famous for its honey 

41 show'd . . = apes: simulated smiles of affection, like favorite pets 

44 flatterers: treacherous hypocrites 

48 the cause: let's get down to business 53 three-and-thirty; cf. n. 



86 The Tragedy of 

Unless thou bring'st them with thee. 

Oct. So I hope; 

I was not born to die on Brutus' sword. 

Bru. O, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain, 
Young man, thou couldst not die more honour- 
able. 60 

Cas. A peevish schoolboy, worthless of such honour, 
Join'd with a masquer and a reveller. 

Ant. Old Cassius still! 

Oct. Come, Antony; away! 

Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth. 64 

If you dare fight to-day, come to the field; 
If not, when you have stomachs. 

Exeunt Octavius, Antony, and Army. 

Cas. Why now, blow wind, swell billow, and swim 
bark! 
The storm is up, and all is on the hazard. 68 

Bru. Ho, Lucilius: hark, a word with you. 

Lucil. [Standing forth.'] My lord? 

[Brutus and Lucilius talk apart.] 

Cas. Messala. 

Mes. [Standing forth.] What says my general? 

Cas. Messala, 

This is my birth-day ; as this very day 72 

Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala: 
Be thou my witness that against my will, 
As Pompey was, am I compell'd to set 
Upon one battle all our liberties. 76 

You know that I held Epicurus strong, 
And his opinion ; now I change my mind, 

59 strain: race 

61 peevish : silly such honour: i.e., that of dying on Brutus' sword 

63 Old . . . still: you are still the same old Cassius 

66 stomachs: courage 

72 as: a colloquial expletive 

75 As Pompey: at the battle of Pharsalia, 48 B. C. 

77 held . . . strong: believed Epicurus right in disregarding omens 



Julius Coesar, V, i 87 

And partly credit things that do presage. 

Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign 80 

Two mighty eagles fell, and there they perch'd, 

Gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands ; 

Who to Philippi here consorted us: 

This morning are they fled away and gone, 84 

And in their stead do ravens, crows, and kites 

Fly o'er our heads, and downward look on us, 

As we were sickly prey: their shadows seem 

A canopy most fatal, under which 88 

Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost. 

Mes. Believe not so. 

Cas. I but believe it partly, 

For I am fresh of spirit and resolv'd 
To meet all perils very constantly. 92 

Bru. Even so, Lucilius. 

Cas. Now, most noble Brutus, 

The gods to-day stand friendly, that we may, 
Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age ! 
But since the affairs of men rest still incertain, 96 
Let's reason with the worst that may befall. 
If we do lose this battle, then is this 
The very last time we shall speak together: 
What are you, then, determined to do ? 100 

Bru. Even by the rule of that philosophy 
By which I did blame Cato for the death 
Which he did give himself — (I know not how, 
But I do find it cowardly and vile, 104 

For fear of what might fall, so to prevent 
The time of life) — arming myself with patience, 

80 former ensign: banner at the front of our column 
83 consorted: accompanied 

87 As: as if sickly prey: so sick as soon to be their prey 

88 fatal : fateful, doom-foreboding 
94 The gods : may the gods 

97 reason with: consider 

102 Cato: of Utica; committed suicide, 46 B. C. 



88 The Tragedy of 

To stay the providence of some high powers 
That govern us below. 

Cas. Then, if we lose this battle, 108 

You are contented to be led in triumph 
Thorough the streets of Rome? 

Bru. No, Cassius, no: think not, thou noble Roman, 
That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome; 112 

He bears too great a mind : but this same day 
Must end that work the ides of March begun; 
And whether we shall meet again I know not. 
Therefore our everlasting farewell take: 116 

For ever, and for ever, farewell, Cassius. 
If we do meet again, why, we shall smile; 
If not, why then this parting was well made. 

Cas. For ever, and for ever, farewell, Brutus. 
If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed; 121 

If not, 'tis true this parting was well made. 

Bru. Why, then, lead on. O, that a man might 
know 
The end of this day's business, ere it come ! 124 

But it sufficeth that the day will end, 
And then the end is known. Come, ho ! away ! 

Exeunt. 

Scene Two 

[The Same. The Field of Battle] 

Alarum. Enter Brutus and Messala. 

Bru. Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills 
Unto the legions on the other side. Loud alarum. 

Let them set on at once, for I perceive 
But cold demeanour in Octavius' wing, 4 

107 stay: await, submit to 111-115 Cf. n. 

1 bills: written orders 2 side: wing, commanded by Cassius 

4 cold demeanour: faint-heartedness 



Julius Ccesar, V. Hi 89 

And sudden push gives them the overthrow. 
Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down. 

Exeunt. 



Scene Three 

[Another part of the Field] 

Alarums. Enter Cassius and Titinius. 

Cas. O look, Titinius, look, the villains fly! 
Myself have to mine own turn'd enemy: 
This ensign here of mine was turning back ; 

1 slew the coward, and did take it from him. 4 
Tit. O Cassius! Brutus gave the word too early; 

Who, having some advantage on Octavius, 
Took it too eagerly: his soldiers fell to spoil, 
Whilst we by Antony are all enclos'd. 8 

Enter Pindarus. 

Pin. Fly further off, my lord, fly further off; 
Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord: 
Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off. 

Cas. This hill is far enough. Look, look, Ti- 
tinius ; 12 
Are those my tents where I perceive the fire? 

Tit. They are, my lord. 

Cas. Titinius, if thou lovest me, 

Mount thou my horse, and hide thy spurs in him, 
Till he have brought thee up to yonder troo-ps 
And here again; that I may rest assur'd 17 

Whether yond troops are friend or enemy. 

Tit. I will be here again, even with a thought. 

Exit. 

2 mine own: my own troops 

4 coward: i.e., the standard-bearer 19 even with: quick as 



90 The Tragedy of 

Cas. Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill; 
My sight was ever thick; regard Titinius, 21 

And tell me what thou not'st about the field. 

[Pindarus ascends the hill.'] 
This day I breathed first; time is come round, 
And where I did begin, there shall I end ; 24 

My life is run his compass. Sirrah, what news ? 

Pin. [Above.] O my lord! 

Cas. What news? 

Pin. [Above.] Titinius is enclosed round about 28 
With horsemen, that make to him on the spur; 
Yet he spurs on. Now they are almost on him: 
Now, Titinius ! Now some light ; O, he lights too : 
He's ta'en. Shout. 

And hark, they shout for joy. 32 

Cas. Come down ; behold no more. 
O, coward that I am, to live so long, 
To see my best friend ta'en before my face ! 

Enter Pindarus [below]. 

Come hither, sirrah: 36 

In Parthia did I take thee prisoner; 
And then I swore thee, saving of thy life, 
That whatsoever I did bid thee do, 
Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine 
oath ; 40 

Now be a freeman ; and with this good sword, 
That ran through Caesar's bowels, search this bosom. 
Stand not to answer ; here, take thou the hilts ; 
And, when my face is cover'd, as 'tis now, 44 

21 thick: dull, imperfect 

25 is . . . compass: has completed its cycle 

31 light: alight, dismount 

37 Parthia: in Crassus' disastrous campaign, in 53 B. C. 

38 swore thee: made thee swear saving of: in return for my sparing 

41 freeman: Cassius' death will free him from slavery 

42 search: probe 



Julius Ccesar, V. Hi 91 

Guide thou the sword. — Caesar, thou art reveng'd, 
Even with the sword that kill'd thee. [Dies.] 

Pin. So, I am free ; yet would not so have been, 
Durst I have done my will. O Cassius, 48 

Far from this country Pindarus shall run, 
Where never Roman shall take note of him. Exit. 

Enter Titinius and Messala. 

Mes. It is but change, Titinius; for Octavius 
Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power, 52 

As Cassius' legions are by Antony. 

Tit. These tidings will well comfort Cassius. 

Mes. Where did you leave him? 

Tit. All disconsolate. 

With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill. 56 

Mes. Is not that he that lies upon the ground? 

Tit. He lies not like the living. O my heart ! 

Mes. Is not that he? 

Tit. No, this was he, Messala. 

But Cassius is no more. O setting sun, 60 

As in thy red rays thou dost sink to night, 
So in his red blood Cassius' day is set. 
The sun of Rome is set. Our day is gone; 
Clouds, dews, and dangers come; our deeds are 
done. 64 

Mistrust of my success hath done this deed. 

Mes. Mistrust of good success hath done this deed. 
O hateful error, melancholy's child, 
Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men 68 
The things that are not? O error, soon conceiv'd, 
Thou never com'st unto a happy birth, 

50 take note of : see 51 change: exchange 

64 our . . . done : all is over 

65 Mistrust . . . success: misgivings about the outcome of my errand 

67 melancholy's child: result of despondency 

68 apt: impressionable 



92 The Tragedy of 

But kill'st the mother that engender'd thee. 

Tit. What, Pindarus! Where art thou, Pin- 
darus ? 72 

Mes. Seek him, Titinius, whilst I go to meet 
The noble Brutus, thrusting this report 
Into his ears; I may say, thrusting it: 
For piercing steel and darts envenomed 76 

Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus 
As tidings of this sight. 

Tit. Hie you, Messala, 

And I will seek for Pindarus the while. 

[Exit Messala.] 
Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius? 
Did I not meet thy friends, and did not they 81 

Put on my brows this wreath of victory, 
And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their 

shouts ? 
Alas, thou hast misconstru'd everything. 84 

But, hold thee, take this garland on thy brow; 
Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I 
Will do his bidding. Brutus, come apace, 
And see how I regarded Caius Cassius. 88 

By your leave, gods: this is a Roman's part: 
Come, Cassius' sword, and find Titinius' heart. 

Dies. 
Alarum. Enter Brutus, Messala, Young Cato, Strato, 
Volumnius, and Lucilius. 

Bru. Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie ? 91 

Mes. Lo, yonder: and Titinius mourning it. 

Bru. Titinius' face is upward. 

Cato. He is slain. 

Bru. O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet ! 

85 hold thee: wait a moment 87 apace: quickly 

89 By . . . gods: a proud apology for taking his fate into his own 
hands 



Julius Ccesar, V. iv 93 

Thy spirit walks abroad, and turns our swords 

In our own proper entrails. Low alarums. 

Cato. Brave Titinius ! 96 

Look whether he have not crown'd dead Cassius ! 

Bru. Are yet two Romans living such as these? 
The last of all the Romans, fare thee well ! 
It is impossible that ever Rome 100 

Should breed thy fellow. Friends, I owe more tears 
To this dead man than you shall see me pay. — 
I shall find time, Cassius, I shall find time. — 
Come therefore, and to Thasos send his body : 104 

His funerals shall not be in our camp, 
Lest it discomfort us. Lucilius, come; 
And come, young Cato; — let us to the field, 
Labeo and Flavius, set our battles on: 108 

'Tis three o'clock; and, Romans, yet ere night 
We shall try fortune in a second fight. Exeunt. 



Scene Four 
[Another part of the Field] 

Alarum. Enter Brutus, Messala, Cato, Lucilius, and 
Flavius. 

Bru. Yet, countrymen, O yet hold up your heads ! 
Cato. What bastard doth not? Who will go with 



me 



I will proclaim my name about the field: 

I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho! 4 

A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend; 

1 am the son of Marcus Cato, ho ! 

96 proper: individual 101 fellow: equal 

104 Thasos: isle near Thrace 106 discomfort: dishearten 

109, 110 three o'clock . . . second fight; cf. n. 

2 What . . . not: Who is so base-born as not to do so? 



94 The Tragedy of 

Enter Soldiers, and fight. 

[Bru.~] And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I; 
Brutus, my country's friend; know me for Brutus! 
[Exit Brutus, fighting. Cato is slain.] 
Lucil. O young and noble Cato, art thou down ? 9 
Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius, 
And may'st be honour'd being Cato's son. 
First Sold. Yield, or thou diest. 
Lucil. Only I yield to die: 12 

There is so much, that thou wilt kill me straight: 
Kill Brutus, and be honour'd in his death. 
First Sold. We must not. A noble prisoner ! 
Sec. Sold. Room, ho ! Tell Antony, Brutus is 
ta'en. 16 

First Sold. I'll tell the news : here comes the gen- 
eral. 

Enter Antony. 

Brutus is ta'en, Brutus is ta'en, my lord. 

Ant. Where is he? 

Lucil. Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough: 20 
I dare assure thee that no enemy 
Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus : 
The gods defend him from so great a shame! 
When you do find him, or alive or dead, 24 

He will be found like Brutus, like himself. 

Ant. This is not Brutus, friend; but, I assure you, 
A prize no less in worth. Keep this man safe, 
Give him all kindness: I had rather have 28 

Such men my friends than enemies. Go on, 
And see whether Brutus be alive or dead; 
And bring us word, unto Octavius' tent, 
How everything is chanc'd. Exeunt. 

7 [Bru.]; cf.n. 

12 Only . . . die: I yield only in order that I may die 13,14 Cf.n. 



Julius Ccesar, V. v 95 

Scene Five 
[Another part of the Field'] 

Enter Brutus, Dardanius, Clitus, Strato, and 
Volumnius. 

Bru. Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this 
rock. 

Cli. Statilius show'd the torch-light; but, my lord, 
He came not back: he is or ta'en or slain. 

Bru. Sit thee down, Clitus: slaying is the word; 4 
It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus. 

[Whispers.] 

Cli. What, I, my lord? No, not for all the world. 

Bru. Peace, then: no words. 

Cli. I'll rather kill myself. 

Bru. Hark thee, Dardanius. [Whispers.] 

Dar. Shall I do such a deed? 8 

Cli. O, Dardanius ! 

Dar. O, Clitus ! 

Cli. What ill request did Brutus make to thee? 

Dar. To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates. 

Cli. Now is that noble vessel full of grief, 13 

That it runs over even at his eyes. 

Bru. Come hither, good Volumnius: list a word. 

Vol. What says my lord? 

Bru. Why this, Volumnius: 16 

The ghost of Caesar hath appear'd to me 
Two several times by night; at Sardis once, 
And this last night here in Philippi fields. 
I know my hour is come. 

Vol. Not so, my lord. 20 

Bru. Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius. 

1 poor remains of: few surviving 

2,3 Cf.n. 13 noble vessel ; cf. 2 Tim. 2. 21 



96 The Tragedy of 

Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes ; 

Our enemies have beat us to the pit : Low alarums. 

It is more worthy to leap in ourselves, 24 

Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius, 

Thou know'st that we two went to school together: 

Even for that our love of old, I prithee, 

Hold thou my sword-hilts whilst I run on it. 28 

Vol. That's not an office for a friend, my lord. 

Alarum still. 

Cli. Fly, fly, my lord : there is no tarrying here ! 

Bru. Farewell to you; and you; and you, Volum- 
nius. 
Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep; 32 

Farewell to thee too, Strato. Countrymen, 
My heart doth joy that yet, in all my life, 
I found no man but he was true to me. 
I shall have glory by this losing day 36 

More than Octavius and Mark Antony 
By this vile conquest shall attain unto. 
So fare you well at once ; for Brutus' tongue 
Hath almost ended his life's history: 40 

Night hangs upon mine eyes ; my bones would rest, 
That have but labour'd to attain this hour. 

Alarum. Cry within, 'Fly, fly, fly!' 

Cli. Fly, my lord, fly! 

Bru. Hence: I will follow. 

[Exeunt Clitus, Dardanius, and Volumnius.] 
I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord: 44 

Thou art a fellow of a good respect; 
Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it : 
Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face, 

23 pit: brink of destruction 

39 at once: once for all; or, all of you 

39, 40 Brutus' . . . history: Brutus' life will end with this very 

speech, almost 
42 Cf. Psalm 90. w 46 smatch: smack, flavor 



Julius Ccesar, V. v 9 ? 

While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato ? 48 

Stra. Give me your hand first: fare you well, my 

lord. 
Bru. Farewell, good Strato. — Caesar, now be still; 

I kill'd not thee with half so good a will. Dies. 

Alarum. Retreat. Enter Antony, Octavius, Messala, 
Lucilius, and the Army. 

Oct. What man is that? 52 

Mes. My master's man. Strato, where is thy 
master ? 

Stra. Free from the bondage you are in, Messala; 
The conquerors can but make a fire of him; 
For Brutus only overcame himself, 56 

And no man else hath honour by his death. 

Lucil. So Brutus should be found. I thank thee, 
Brutus, 
That thou hast prov'd Lucilius' saying true. 

Oct. All that serv'd Brutus, I will entertain 
them. 60 

Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me? 

Stra. Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you. 

Oct. Do so, good Messala. 

Mes. How died my master, Strato? 64 

Stra. I held the sword, and he did run on it. 

Mes. Octavius, then take him to follow thee 
That did the latest service to my master. 
.. Ant. This was the noblest Roman of them all; 68 
All the conspirators save only he 
Did that they did in envy of great Caesar; 
He only, in a general honest thought 
And common good to all, made one of them. 72 

56 only: alone 60 entertain: employ 

61 bestow . . . with: devote thy time to 

62 prefer: recommend, transfer 71, 72 Cf. n. 



98 The Tragedy of Julius Ccesar 

His life was gentle, and the elements 

So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up 

And say to all world, 'This was a man!' 

Oct. According to his virtue let us use him, 76 

With all respect and rites of burial. 
Within my tent his bones to-night shall lie, 
Most like a soldier, order'd honourably. 
So, call the field to rest; and let's away 80 

To part the glories of this happy day. 

Exeunt omnes. 

73 gentle: that of a true gentleman elements: as microcosm, man 

was believed to be composed of earth, air, fire, and water, mingled 
in due proportions 

76 use: treat 

79 Most like: as best befits order'd: arrayed 

80 field : troops in the field 

81 part: share 

FINIS. 



NOTES 

I. i. S. d. Marullus. The Folios spell this name 
incorrectly, 'Murellus.' The emendation, based on 
Plutarch and other conclusive ancient authorities, is 
Theobald's. On similar grounds, certain other ortho- 
graphical vagaries have been corrected in most of the 
modern editions: e.g., the Folios print 'Calphurnia,' 
'Antonio,' 'Claudio,' 'Varrus,' etc. On the other hand, 
'Decius Brutus' for 'Decimus' is a genuine confusion 
of identity which Shakespeare took over from North's 
Plutarch (see Appendix A). 

I. i. 25. with awl. The original Folio pointing and 
spelling of the text will serve to suggest a further 
pun not obvious in the modern texts: 'I meddle with 
no Tradesmans matters, nor womens matters ; but 
withal I am indeed Sir, a Surgeon to old shooes.' 

I. i. 35. triumph. This triumph celebrated Cae- 
sar's defeat of the sons of Pompey at the battle of 
Munda, in Spain, March 17, B. C. 45, and was the 
first such recognition of a Roman's victory over any 
but a foreign foe. — Shakespeare throughout has com- 
pressed the historical duration of the play's action 
considerably, in the interests of dramatic effective- 
ness: so here he has this triumph coincide with the 
festival of the Lupercalia, February 15, B. C. 44; 
in Act III he places the murder, the funeral orations, 
and the arrival of Octavius all on the same day, 
whereas in reality some two months elapsed between 
the earliest and the latest of these events; and in 
Act V he combines in a single action the two battles 
of Philippi, which really were separated by a three- 
week interval. See further, for the use of 'Double 
Time' in this play, the note on II. i. 61, 62. 

I. i. 49. her. 'Father Tiber' would seem to de- 



ioo The Tragedy of 

mand a masculine pronoun, and Rowe accordingly, 
followed by several other editors, changed 'her' to 
'his' in this line and line 51; but Elizabethan usage 
was less strict than classical, and Shakespeare's 
laxity was not a special peculiarity of his own. 

I. i. 71. Lupercal. Ancient Roman festival of 
purification and expiation, celebrated February 15, 
and believed to give new life and fruitfulness to fields, 
flocks, and human beings. After due sacrifices had 
been offered, the chosen young men, called 'Luperci,' 
ran around the Palatine hill and struck with their 
thongs of goatskin those who stood in their way, thus 
warding off barrenness. These thongs were called 
'februa,' from 'februare, to purify'; the day, 'dies 
februatus'; and the whole month, 'februarius.' 

I. ii. 154. "walks. The famous and spacious paved 
Roman Ways, such as the 'Via Appia,' 'Via Sacra,' 
'Via Flaminia,' etc., are here put for the city itself, by 
synecdoche. Or, another sound explanation is based 
on III. ii. 252; 'walks' thus would signify the parks 
and promenades forming the outlying suburbs of the 
city. Rowe's emendation, 'walls,' though widely ac- 
cepted, is unnecessary and prosaic. 

I. ii. 165. The punctuation in this line is that of 
Pope's second edition, and has been generally 
adopted; but the Folio gives a perfectly plausible 
reading without emendation: 'I would not so (with 
love I might entreat you) Be any further moved.' 

I. ii. 198. my name. A Latin idiom, meaning 'I 
myself, Caesar.' For parallels from Virgil, Milton, 
and the Bible, cf. R. C. Browne's note on Paradise 
Lost, II, 964, in the Clarendon Press edition of Eng- 
lish Poems by John Milton, 1906. 

I. ii. 203. he hears no music. Cf. Merchant of 
Venice, V. i. 83-88. 

I. ii. 320. He should not humour me. 'He,' as is 
shown by the 'he' in the preceding line and the 'his' 



Julius Ccesar 101 

in the following, refers to Brutus, not to Caesar. Cas- 
sius then says : 'If I had Brutus' standing with Caesar 
and Brutus only mine, Brutus should not (as easily 
as I mean to beguile him into doing so) talk me into 
forgoing the advantages afforded by Caesar's favor.' 

I. iii. 60. cast yourself in wonder. 'Plunge head- 
long into, abjectly abandon yourself to, unreasoning 
wonder.' Cf. 'cast down,' and the etymology of 
'abject.' There is no need for emendation, though 
'case' has been widely accepted. 

I. iii. 65. Why old men, fools, and children calcu- 
late. This line has occasioned much discussion. 
Many editors emend it thus: 'Why old men fool, and 
children calculate,' i.e., 'Why the wise are foolish and 
the foolish wise.' But against this emendation may be 
urged the facts that 'old men' are not always 'wise,' 
in Shakespeare or elsewhere, and that the unaltered 
text affords an acceptable meaning: 'Why dotards, 
idiots, and infants so far depart from their ordinary 
characteristics as to utter the profound truths of 
divination.' 

I. iii. 107-111. 'The idea seems to be that, as men 
start a huge fire with worthless straws or shavings, so 
Caesar is using the degenerate Romans of the time, to 
set the whole world ablaze with his own glory.' 
(Hudson.) 

I. iii. 126. Pompey's porch. A magnificent colon- 
nade or portico surrounding an open area which con- 
tained avenues of sycamore trees, fountains, and 
statues ; it was attached to Pompey's theatre (line 
152), in the Campus Martius, the first stone theatre 
to be erected in Rome. 

II. i. 15. Crown him that. 'Once make him 
that — i.e., once let him become the full-grown adder — 
by crowning him, and then I realize that we shall be 
rendering actual a peril (sting) which now is only 



102 The Tragedy of 

potential and latent.' Emendations seem unneces- 
sary, though many have been proposed and few edi- 
tors retain the Folio and Quarto punctuation given 
in the present text. 

II. i. 59. fourteen. This is Theobald's generally 
accepted emendation of the Folio and Quarto reading, 
'fifteen.' To Brutus (line 40) it is still the night of 
the fourteenth. If 'fifteen' days were indeed 'wasted/ 
i.e., gone, then the ides too would be gone, — which is 
just what the Soothsayer points out that they are 
not (III. i. 2). 

II. i. 61, 62. Literally interpreted, this statement 
is incredible, if we stop to reflect that a month has 
passed since I. ii; Brutus then can mean merely 'I 
have not slept well.' But as a rule we do not stop to 
reflect thus mathematically, and so we have the im- 
pression that 'Cassius first did whet' Brutus 'against 
Caesar' only a night or two before and that Brutus' 
sleeplessness has not been superhumanly protracted; 
for seemingly 'Brought you Caesar home?' (I. iii. 1) 
means home from the Lupercal (I. ii), and Casca 
himself in I. iii is returning from his dinner engage- 
ment on the night of the Lupercal (I. ii. 294), so that 
I. iii apparently follows I. ii without any interval; 
while II. i apparently follows I. iii with almost equal 
immediacy, for in their last conversation (on stage: 
I. ii. 308-312) Brutus and Cassius arranged to meet 
again at Brutus' home 'to-morrow,' and hence (II. i. 
70 ff.) we have their first meeting (on stage) since 
that time. This device, whereby Shakespeare secures 
an impression of rapid, uninterruptedly continuous 
action while unobtrusively supplying to reflection all 
needed data for the determination of the actual his- 
torical intervals involved, is known as the phenome- 
non of 'Double Time,' and is well shown further in 
Acts IV and V of this play. The Short or Dramatic 
Time-scheme maintains the tension of the passion, 



Julius Ccesar 103 

while the Long or Historic Time-scheme satisfies the 
requirements of the analytical reason; but, needless 
to say, this curious phenomenon is noticeable only in 
the study, never in the theatre. (Cf. 'Shakespeare's 
Legerdemain with Time in Julius Ccesar/ Poet Lore, 
XI, 1899.) 

II. i. 250. humour. There were supposed to be 
four fundamental 'humours' or fluids (from the Latin 
'humor,' liquid) in the human body, viz., blood, 
phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile; and an over- 
proportion of one of these elements in the system 
made the disposition predominantly sanguine, phleg- 
matic, choleric, or melancholy, respectively. So, to 
the mediaeval and renaissance mind, 'humour' might 
mean literally 'moisture,' as in line 262; or it might 
account for mental or physical disorder, as in the 
present line; or it might refer to the more trivial 
temperamental eccentricity resulting from the funda- 
mental derangement, as in II. ii. 56. 

II. ii. 89. For tinctures, stains, relics, and cogni- 
zance. The generally accepted interpretation explains 
these terms in the very spirit of Calpurnia's dream, 
i.e., as the appropriate concomitants of martyrdom; 
but surely nothing could be further from Caesar's 
desire or Decius' intention. Consequently, the gloss 
attempts to give meanings more in keeping with the 
manifest purpose of Decius as shown in the rest of 
his speech, and with the obvious requirements of the 
situation: i.e., Caesar's blood is to provide metaphori- 
cal living blessings, rather than literal physical souve- 
nirs of death. 

II. ii. 128. That every 'like' is not 'the same.' The 
heart of Brutus grieves to realize that specious re- 
semblance is not genuine identity; that appearances 
(of friendship, as in the amicable ceremony of taking 
wine together) are deceptive; that the conspirators, 
who seem 'like friends' (line 127), are so far from 



104 The Tragedy of 

being truly Caesar's friends that they are on the very 
point of putting him to death. 

III. i. S. d. Before the Capitol. In the original 
texts there is no stage direction in this scene before 
'They stab Caesar/ at line 76, other than the opening 
direction: 'Flourish. Enter Caesar, Brutus/ and the 
rest. Yet lines 11, 12 show that the action takes 
place outdoors; while lines 31, 79, 115, 119, etc., as 
well as the familiar tradition and all pictorial repre- 
sentations, show that the murder takes place indoors. 
Of course, there was no difficulty here on the Eliza- 
bethan stage: the action of the first 12 lines would 
take place on the fore-stage, and then Caesar would 
withdraw and seat himself on the dais or inner stage 
at the rear, with the Senators grouped about him and 
the approaching conspirators between him and the 
audience. Except for the standardization of the text 
established by the almost unbroken succession of edi- 
tors who have left this dilemma unamended, there 
would seem to be no reason why the procedure fol- 
lowed in the precisely similar dilemma in IV. ii and 
iii should not be adopted here: there the action out- 
side Brutus' tent is assigned to a brief Scene Two, 
while the action inside the tent is very properly as- 
signed to a long separate scene, Scene Three. It 
must be remembered that all the Scene-divisions in 
this play have had to be determined by modern edi- 
tors, there being nothing but Act-divisions in the 
Folios after the initial 'Scaena Prima.' 

Capitol. Shakespeare placed the killing of Caesar 
in the Capitol on account of the established popular 
and literary tradition to that effect ; cf ., e.g., Chaucer, 
The Monhes Tale, 713-718, and Hamlet, III. ii. 109- 
112. In reality Caesar was assassinated in the Curia 
Pompeiana, a great hall adjoining the portico of Pom- 
pey's theatre (cf. note on I. iii. 126). This Curia 



Julius Ccesar 105 

was used for meetings of the Senate and was de- 
stroyed in the grief and rage over Caesar's deaths but 
the colossal statue of Pompey which it had contained 
(cf. line 115) was saved. 

III. i. 47, 48. Know, Ccesar doth not wrong. Ben 
Jonson quoted in his Discoveries, first printed in 1641, 
an alternative version of this line: 'Caesar did never 
wrong but with just cause.' Jonson ridiculed this 
sentence as an 'Irish bull' — unjustly: for 'wrong' 
means not only 'error, mistake/ but also 'harm, in- 
jury' (as in line 242 in this very scene). Some few 
editors have incorporated Jonson's version of this 
line in the text, following it up with 'Nor without 
cause will he be satisfied,' on the hypothesis that 
Jonson was quoting either an early Quarto version 
which has since disappeared, or at least the acting 
version current in Shakespeare's lifetime which was 
unwarrantably changed by the editors of the First 
Folio. 

III. i. 59. // I could pray to move, prayers would 
move me. 'If I were as weak as you are, and in the 
position of looking up to someone more powerful than 
myself and entreating him to change his mind, why 
then I should perhaps be weak enough likewise to 
change my own mind on account of mere empty en- 
treaties; but happily I am as far above one alter- 
native as the other, for,' etc. 

III. i. 174. This line has given the commentators 
much trouble, and many emendations have been pro- 
posed for the puzzling phrase 'in strength of malice' — 
such as 'exempt from malice,' 'in strength of amity,' 
etc. If the Folio reading is to be preserved un- 
changed, the word 'malice' must clearly be emptied 
of all its usual meaning, for Brutus could never have 
applied such a term to any action by the conspirators 
after his overwhelming repudiation of 'envy' and 
similar emotions in II. i. 162-183: and the word 



106 The Tragedy of 

'malice/ free from its usual sinister implications, ap- 
parently does occur elsewhere in Shakespeare (e.g., 
Macbeth, III. ii. 14, 25, and perhaps John, II. i. 251), 
and is recognized by the Oxford Dictionary, in the 
sense of 'power, capacity.' Cf. the note, in this edi- 
tion, on Macbeth, III. ii. 14. But even so, that inter- 
pretation gives a very inferior meaning to the phrase 
now under discussion, little better than tautology and 
not very appropriate to the spirit of the context. 
The present editor therefore ventures to suggest as 
an emendation here 'instranged' (of the use of which 
N. E. D. gives an example dated 1586), a variant of 
'enstranged' (N. E. D.: Caxton, 1483), meaning 
'estranged, far removed, deprived,' etc. This rare 
word, 'instranged,' unfamiliar to the compositor's eye 
or ear, would be very naturally sophisticated into 
'in strength,' while it supplies exactly the sense 
needed in the passage; viz., 'Our arms free from 
malice, and our hearts of brothers' temper, do receive 
you in,' etc. 

III. i. 273. dogs of war. Most editors explain 
the 'dogs' literally and specifically as 'fire, sword, and 
famine,' on the strength of Henry V, I. Prologue 8. 
But why should not the phrase be merely a general 
poetic metaphor — on the analogy of 'dove of peace' — 
designed to suggest all the nameless horrors that re- 
sult when the destructive energies of ruthless warfare 
are unpent? 

III. ii. 178. That day he overcame the Nervii. It 
was in the summer of 57 B. C. that this most warlike 
of Belgic tribes was defeated, in the battle of the 
Sambre. The Nervii made a successful surprise at- 
tack, and only Caesar's personal bravery saved the 
day. Cf. De Bello Gallico, II. 15-28. This victory 
is prominently featured in North's Plutarch (see 
Appendix A), and was celebrated at Rome with un- 
precedented thanksgivings and rejoicings. 



Julius Ccesar 107 

III. ii. 247. drachmas. These were Greek silver 
coins, of a value impossible to compute accurately in 
terms of modern currency. In purchasing power the 
bequest would perhaps be equivalent to-day to some- 
thing over $100 per citizen. 

III. ii. 254. On this side Tiber. The gardens lay 
across the Tiber from the Forum in which Antony was 
speaking, but 'on this side' from the French and 
English standpoint of Amyot and North — whom 
Shakespeare too literally follows. 

IV. i. 37. one that feeds On objects, arts, and 
imitations Which, out of use and stal'd by other men, 
Begin his fashion. The Folio text here is at least as 
satisfactory as any emendation, if the punctuation 
makes it evident that the disputed 'objects, arts, and 
imitations' are immediately defined by the restrictive 
relative clause that follows. Despite his unbridled 
passions, Antony is eminently a practical politi- 
cian, — as witness the form of Cassius' bribe offered 
to him after Brutus' futile expression of idealism 
(III. i. 177, 178) ; and witness also his masterly 
manipulation of the conspirators and the mob, in III. 
i and III. ii. He scorns Lepidus then for so lacking 
personality, initiative, shrewdness, and judgment that 
he takes even the superficial embellishments of life 
at second hand, unable to distinguish between the 
true values and the sham. (Staunton's emendation 
would substitute 'abjects,' meaning 'discarded scraps,' 
and 'orts,' meaning 'leavings.') 

IV. i. 48, 49. we are at the stake, And bay'd about 
with many enemies. This refers to the very popu- 
lar but very brutal Elizabethan amusement of bear- 
baiting, wherein the bear was chained to a stake in 
the center of the 'bear-garden' or arena (the best- 
known one was situated close by the Globe Theatre) 
and attacked by a number of dogs. 



108 The Tragedy of 

IV. iii. S. d. For the 'Enter' of modern editions 
the Folios and Quartos have 'Manet' or 'Manent.' 
I.e., as explained in the note on III. i. S. d., no new 
scene was necessary here on the Elizabethan stage: 
the armies marched off and Brutus and Cassius simply 
'remained' in conference, but the locality none the 
less was supposed to shift to the inside of Brutus' 
tent. 

IV. iii. 20, 21. What villain touch' d his body, that 
did stab, And not for justice f 'What one of the con- 
spirators was such a villain that he stabbed Caesar 
from any other motive than for justice's sake?' 
Brutus means, of course, to imply that there was 
none such then, and they must be doubly careful to 
avoid giving ground for any such imputation now. 

IV. iii. 25, 26. The infinite spiritual extent of true 
honor is contrasted with the petty material extent of 
a handful of money. 

IV. iii. 28. Brutus, bay not me. 'Bay' (Theo- 
bald's widely accepted emendation of the Folio read- 
ing 'bait') is a savage and threatening quibble on 
Cassius' part: 'Don't bark at me, Brutus, and don't 
bring me to bay either (cf. note on IV. i. 48, 49), 
hedging me in with snarling accusations and goading 
me on with taunts, or I'll turn on you and then it will 
be the worse for you.' 'Bait' can be given almost the 
same interpretation, with reference to bear-baiting, 
but misses the neat repartee in the repeated 'bay.' 

IV. iii. 101. Pluto's. As god of the infernal 
regions, Pluto might well be supposed to command 
great wealth. As Milton says, 'Let none admire That 
riches grow in Hell; that soil may best Deserve the 
precious bane.' Many editors, however, prefer to 
follow Pope in reading 'Plutus',' the god of riches. 
Confusion between the two occurred in classical times 
as well as in Elizabethan. 

IV. iii. 109-112. This badly mixed metaphor can 



Julius Ccesar 109 

be straightened out if we punctuate 'lamb, — ' and in- 
terpret 'That' as 'With one that, with a man who,' 
thus: 'O Cassius, you are associated with a mere 
lamb, — with a man whose anger is as negative and 
latent as the fire in a flint, which needs a hard blow 
before showing any flame at all and even then yields 
only a momentary spark.' 

IV. iii. 152. grief. The grammatical construction 
breaks down here (though the sense is clear enough), 
unless we (1) construe 'grief with 'impatient of in 
the preceding line, thus: 'Unable to endure my ab- 
sence and her own sorrow over Antony's success' ; 
or (2) read 'grieved' for 'grief,' thus: 'Impatient and 
grieved, in this situation she fell distract,' etc. 

IV. iii. 183. Nothing, Messala. Various more or 
less plausible attempts have been made to defend 
Brutus from this most unpleasant appearance of de- 
ceiving Messala in order to win applause for his forti- 
tude under affliction, but the best way out of the 
difficulty lies in accepting the suggestion of J. Resch 
that two alternative versions of Brutus' stoical con- 
duct have been accidentally taken over into the Folio 
text from the MS. or prompt-book copy. 

V. i. 53. three- and- thirty . According to North's 
Plutarch the number of Caesar's wounds was three- 
and-twenty, and several editors have followed Theo- 
bald in making the somewhat meticulous correction. 

V. i. 111-115. In these lines Brutus has been 
charged by many critics with flatly contradicting his 
declaration against suicide in lines 101-108; but the 
inconsistency disappears if the significance of lines 
113, 114 be grasped (by a proper interpretation of 
'Must') as merely restating the stoical fatalism of 
lines 106-108, for Brutus really says simply this: 
'No, Cassius, you are an Epicurean and do not under- 
stand, and I cannot take the time now to explain 



ho The Tragedij of 

things to you. No, I bear too great a mind ever to 
go bound to Rome: but (my mere human mind does 
not have to settle this point, for) this same day Must 
(i.e., will certainly) end that work the ides of March 
begun/ I.e., 'I do not have to alter my resolution 
against suicide for Fate will decide, and to-day either 
we shall kill Caesar's usurping successors as we killed 
Caesar himself, or we shall ourselves die fighting and 
thus even the score, pay the reckoning, for Caesar's 
death.' This, as Hunter points out, is Brutus' expres- 
sion of mere speculative theory: if, like Hamlet, he 
does not live up to his professed principles and ab- 
stract resolution when the actual test comes, that is 
but part of his tragic failure. 

V. iii. 109, 110. The 'second fight' really took 
place twenty days later. Cf. note on I. i. 35. 

V. iv. 7. No speaker's name precedes this speech 
in the Folios, and it is accordingly assigned to Brutus 
on the strength of modern editorial authority only. 
Some editors, however, would assign it to Lucilius, 
in order to prepare the audience for his assumption 
of the role of Brutus in lines 12-14 below. 

V. iv. 13, 14. Many editors supply a stage direc- 
tion [Offering money] to explain 'There is so much'; 
but surely there would be little sense in offering to 
give part, where all would naturally fall to his slayer. 
So Lucilius presumably meant simply this: 'I yield 
only to ensure dying at once: and there is so much 
reason for my death and so much advantage in it 
for you that you will doubtless kill me immediately ; 
for you have only to kill me, i.e., Brutus, in order to 
win great honor and rewards.' 

V. v. 2, 3. This passage is somewhat obscure 
without its original context in North's Plutarch: 
'Brutus thought that there was no great number of 
men slain in battle: and to know the truth of it, there 
was one called Statilius, that promised to go through 



Julius Ccesar * i i 

his enemies, for otherwise it was impossible to go see 
their camp: and from thence, if all were well, that 
he would lift up a torch-light in the air, and then 
return again with speed to him.' — Life of Brutus. 

V. v. 71, 72. 'He consented to join them only on 
impersonal principles of honor and in the hope of 
promoting the welfare of all.' 



APPENDIX A 

Sources of the Play 

There were, of course, earlier plays in Elizabethan 
England on the subject of Caesar's career (Hens- 
lowe's Diary attests their popularity in the 1590's) 
and they may well have influenced Shakespeare's 
work. For a careful study of these possibilities, see 
H. M. Ayres' 'Shakespeare's Julius Ccesar in the 
Light of Some Other Versions' (Pub. Mod. Lang. 
Assoc, of America, 1910). Dr. A. Boecker also has 
put forward an elaborate effort to establish Shake- 
speare's indebtedness to Orlando Pescetti's 'II 
Cesare,' a tragedy running to nearly four thousand 
lines of verse and published in Verona in 1594, 2d ed. 
1604 ('A Probable Italian Source of Shakespeare's 
Julius Ccesar/ N. Y. Univ. Dissertation, 1913). But 
after all due allowances have been made for this sort 
of influence, and for the less important possibility of 
indebtedness to classic authors such as Appian, it still 
remains true that the great source of the play is 'The 
Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romanes, Compared 
together by that grave learned Philosopher and His- 
toriographer, Plutarke of Chaeronea: Translated out 
of Greeke.into French by lames Amyot . . . and out 
of French into Englishe, by Thomas North. Im- 
printed at London . . . 1579,' 2d ed. 1595, 3d ed. 
1603. To this famous and splendid monument of 
Elizabethan prose Shakespeare owes the whole action 
or plot of the play, the separate incidents, many per- 
sonal details of characterization, some few errors 
in fact, and occasional verbal suggestions: but his 
supreme skill in selecting, rejecting, combining, and 
arranging historical material has rarely been shown 



Julius Ccesar us 

to better advantage than in his handling of the three 
'Lives' on which he drew, — those, namely, of Caesar, 
Brutus, and Antony; while his power of poetic and 
dramatic transformation will appear upon comparing 
Act III, Scene i with the following typical passage 
from North: 

'For these things, they may seem to come by 
chance: but the place where the murther was pre- 
pared, and where the Senate were assembled, and 
where also there stood up an image of Pompey dedi- 
cated by him selfe amongest other ornaments which 
he gave unto the Theater: all these were manifest 
proofes, that it was the ordinaunce "of some god that 
made this treason to be executed, specially in that 
very place. It is also reported that Cassius (though 
otherwise hee did favour the doctrine of Epicurus) 
beholding the image of Pompey, before they entred 
into the action of their traiterous enterprise; hee did 
softly call uppon it to aide him. But the instant 
danger of the present time, taking away his former 
reason, did sodainly put him into a furious passion, 
and made him like a man halfe besides him selfe. 
Now Antonius, that was a faithfull friend to Ccesar, 
and a valiant man besides of his handes, him Decius 
Brutus Albinus entertained out of the Senate house, 
having begunne a long tale of set purpose. So Ccesar 
comming into the house, all the Senate stood up on 
their feete to doe him honor. The part of Brutus 
company and confederates stoode round about Caesars 
chayre, and part of them also came towardes him, as 
though they made sute with Metellus Cimber, to call 
home his brother againe from banishment: and thus 
prosecuting still their sute, they followed Ccesar, till 
hee was set in his chaire. Who, denying their peti- 
tions, and being v. Trended with them one after an 
other, because the more they were denied the more 
they pressed uppon him, and were the earnester with 



^ The Tragedy of 

him: Metellus at length, taking his gowne with both 
his hands, pulled it over his necke, which was the 
signe given the confederats to set uppon him. Then 
Casca, behinde him, strake him in the necke with his 
sword, howbeit the wound was not great nor mortall, 
because it seemed the feare of such a devilish attempt 
did amaze him and take his strength from him, that 
he killed him not at the first blow. But Ccesar turn- 
ing straight unto him, caught hold of his sword, and 
held it hard: & they both cried out, Ccesar in Latin: 
O vile traitor Casca, what doest thou? And Casca in 
Greeke to his brother, brother, helpe mee. At the 
beginning of this stur, they that were present, not 
knowing of the conspiracy, were so amazed with the 
horrible sight they saw: they had no power to me, 
neither to helpe him, not so much, as once to make 
an outcry. They on the other side that had conspired 
his death compassed him in on everie side with their 
swords drawen in their hands, that Ccesar turned him 
no where but hee was stricken at by some, and still 
had naked swords in his face, and was hacked and 
mangled among them, as a wilde beast taken of 
hunters. For it was agreede among them, that every 
man should give him a wound, because all their parts 
should be in this murther: and then Brutus gave him 
one. . . . Men report also, that Ccesar did still de- 
fende him selfe against the rest, running every way 
with his body: but when he saw Brutus with his 
sword drawen in his hand, then he pulled his gowne 
over his head, and made no more resistaunce, and was 
driven either casually, or purposedly, by the counsell 
of the conspirators, against the base whereupon Pom- 
peys image stoode, which ran all of a goare bloud till 
he was slain. Thus it seemed that the image tooke 
just revenge of Pompeys enemy, being throwen downe 
on the ground at his feete, and yeelding up his ghost 
there, for the number of wounds he had upon him. 



Julius Ccesar i i 5 

For it is reported, that he had three and twenty 
wounds upon his body: and divers of the conspirators 
did hurt themselves, striking one body with so many 
blowes. When Ccesar was slaine, the Senate (though 
Brutus stood in the middest amongst them, as though 
he would have saied somewhat touching this fact) 
presently ran out of the house, and flying, filled all 
the city with marvellous feare and tumult.' (From 
'The Life of Julius Caesar,' North's 2d ed., 1595, as 
quoted by Furness, pp. 300, 301.) 



APPENDIX B 

The History of the Play 

The earliest extant version of Shakespeare's Julius 
Ccesar is that found in the famous First Folio col- 
lected edition of his plays, published in 1623, which 
therefore necessarily forms the basis of all modern 
texts; for the only known Quarto editions belong to 
the late Restoration period and so, unfortunately, 
have little critical value for the solution of the prob- 
lems presented by the original text. It seems fairly 
certain now that Julius Ccesar was written and first 
produced in 1599, for on the twenty-first of Septem- 
ber in that year a German traveller witnessed a per- 
formance of what was presumably Shakespeare's play 
at the Globe Theatre (cf. 'Londoner Theater und 
Schauspiele im Jahre 1599,' G. Binz, Anglia, xxii, 
456, 1899). The next performance that we can date 
seems to have taken place at court early in 1613, the 
next at St. James', January 31, 1636-7, and the next 
at the Cockpit, November 13, 1638 ; but that the popu- 
larity of the play was far greater than these meagre 
records suggest is attested by various kinds of evi- 
dence, from Henslowe's effort to capitalize its success 



116 The Tragedy of 

by producing a rival Caesar play, in 1602, to Digges' 
striking tribute prefixed to the First Folio. 1 

After the Restoration, Julius Ccesar is one of the 
three Shakespearean dramas listed by Downes ('Ros- 
cius Anglicanus,' 1708) among the 'Principal Old 
Stock Plays' given by Killigrew's company in the 
1660's. Charles Hart (d. 1683), grandson of Shake- 
speare's sister Joan, was the great Brutus of this 
period, and was succeeded by the famous Thomas 
Betterton (1635 P-1710) ; it is Betterton's cast (see 
the frontispiece to the present volume) that is given 
in the six Quarto editions published between 1684 and 
1691, evidently printed as playgoers' guides (cf. 
'Quarto Editions of Julius Ccesar/ by Miss H. C. 
Bartlett, The Library, 1913). 

It is worthy of note that Julius Caesar is one of 
the few Shakespearean plays that escaped mutilation 
at the hands of so-called adapters or revisers, during 
the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, for the 
abortive efforts in 1719 and 1722 had no success or 
significance (cf. F. W. Kilbourne's 'Alterations and 
Adaptations of Shakespeare,' Boston, 1906). A 
plausible sketch by Miss C. Porter ('How Shake- 
speare Set and Struck the Scene for Julius Ccesar in 
1599,' Mod. Lang. Notes, 1916) gives a pleasant 
glimpse into Elizabethan stage procedure, and Wil- 
liam Winter's 'Shakespeare on the Stage' (Second 
Series, 1915) supplies many illuminating hints about 
the stage 'business' in succeeding and modern pro- 
ductions; while Brander Matthews ('Shaksperian 
Stage Traditions' in 'Shaksperian Studies,' Columbia 
Univ. Press, 1916) gives a spirited picture of the 
Meiningen company's remarkable presentation of the 
Forum scene and Antony's oration. 

I'The Shakspere Allusion-Book' lists ten (should be 
eleven ? Digges, p. 318, is not indexed) references to Julius 
Ccesar down to 1649, and twenty-five more between 1650 
and 1700. 



Julius Ccesar 117 

In the early eighteenth century Robert Wilks 
(1665 P-1732), the friend of Farquhar, was a bril- 
liant Antony, while Barton Booth (1681-1733) and 
James Quin (1693-1766) excelled as Brutus. Garrick 
never acted in Julius Ccesar, but his rival, Spranger 
Barry (1719-1777), was a most moving Antony. The 
famous Peg Woffington (1714 P-1760) appeared as 
Portia in several performances about 1750, but be- 
cause the part is such a minor one it has not been 
taken by many great actresses since then. Coming 
down to the nineteenth century, we find all the great- 
est actors appearing in the play. The Kembles and 
Young, Macready and Davenport, Wallack, Charles 
Kean, J. B. Booth, Samuel Phelps, and Beerbohm 
Tree have all presented one or more of the four lead- 
ing roles. The first American performance was given 
at Charleston, S. C, April 20, 1774. Edwin Forrest 
and John Edward McCullough are also associated 
with the play, as are Tyrone Power, William Faver- 
sham, and Robert Bruce Mantell in our own time; 
but the crowning achievement in America's production 
of Julius Ccesar will always be the magnificent 
double triumph of Edwin Booth and Lawrence Bar- 
rett, in the '60's, '70's, and '80's, with honorable 
mention, perhaps, of Richard Mansfield's sombre por- 
trayal of Brutus' tragic loneliness, beginning October 
14, 1902. It is not easy nowadays to realize the 
power and effectiveness attributed by tradition to 
these great players of the past, but fortunately it is 
still possible to gain some impression of Edwin 
Booth's thrilling personal magnetism and manifest 
genius from the inspired portrait by John S. Sargent 
in the Players' Club, New York City. 



APPENDIX C 

The Text of the Present Edition 

The text of the present volume is, by permission of 
the Oxford University Press, that of the Oxford 
Shakespeare, edited by the late W. J. Craig, except 
for the following deviations: 

1. The stage directions of the Folio have been 
restored as far as possible, with necessary modern 
additions in square brackets. 

2. The punctuation, especially in the use of 
exclamation points, has been modernized, and the 
spelling of Calpurnia brought into conformity with 
current usage. 

3. The only significant verbal departures — usually 
in the direction of a return to the Folio — are listed 
below, the readings adopted in the present text being 
placed before the colon while Craig's readings follow 
it; and Folio authority is given wherever involved: 

I. i. 65 whether: whe'r (F where) 

ii. 154 walks F : walls 

iii. 96 these F : those 

II. i. 72 moe F: more 

275 you are F: are you 

283 or F: of 

ii. 76 statue F : statua 

III. i. 31 Coes. F: Casca 

206 lethe (Fl Lethee F4 Lethe): leth 

209 stricken F2, 3, 4: strucken (Fl stroken) 

ii. S. d. et pas. Plebeians F: Citizens 

193 statue F: statua 

IV. i. 37 objects, arts F: abject orts 
iii. 13 speaks (speakes F): speak 

101 Pluto's F: Plutus' 

V. iii. 61 to night F: to-night 

97 whether: whe'r (F where) 
104 Thasos: Thassos (F Tharsus) 
iv. 18 Brutus is ta'en, Brutus is ta'en, my Lord 
F: Brutus is ta'en, my lord 
30 whether: whe'r (F where) 



APPENDIX D 

Suggestions for Collateral Reading 

Thomas Rymer: A Short View of Tragedy . . . 
with some Reflections on Shakespear. London, 1692- 
3. (Chapter viii begins with some twelve pages de- 
voted to crude ridicule of Julius Ccesar.) 

John Dennis: On the Genius and Writings of 
Shakespeare. London, 1711. (Reprinted in D. 
Nichol Smith's Eighteenth Century Essays on Shake- 
speare. Glasgow, 1903. Early appreciation of the 
Roman plays, disgruntled by pseudo-classical bias.) 

William Hazlitt: Characters of Shahespear' s Plays. 
London, 1817. (Reprinted in 'Everyman's Library.' 
Standard criticism.) 

Samuel Taylor Coleridge: Lectures and Notes on 
Shakespeare and Other English Poets. London, v. d. 
(Reprinted in 'Everyman's Library,' and in Bonn's 
Libraries. A landmark in modern literary criticism 
of Shakespeare.) 

Henry Norman Hudson: Lectures on Shakespeare. 
New York, 1848. (Very full and sympathetic inter- 
pretations of character and action.) 

George L. Craik: The English of Shakespeare; 
illustrated in A Philological Commentary on his 
Julius Ccesar. Revised ed. by W. J. Rolfe. Boston, 
1867. (The most detailed commentary on the text 
of the play.) 

Richard G. Moulton: Shakespeare as a Dramatic 
Artist. Oxford, 1885. (Contains some interesting 
theories of dramatic construction, with two chapters 
analyzing Julius Ccesar.) 

Frederick S. Boas : Shakspere and his Predecessors. 
New York, 1896. (A useful general history, with a 



120 The Tragedy of Julius Ccesar 

noticeably good treatment of Julius Ccesar among the 
discussions of the separate plays.) 

Thomas R. Lounsbury: Shakespeare and Voltaire. 
New York, 1902. (A rather prolix study of pseudo- 
classicism's opposition to Shakespeare, with a search- 
ing discussion of Voltaire's revamping of Julius 
Ccesar.) 

C. F. Tucker Brooke: Shakespeare's Plutarch. Vol. 
I: containing The Main Sources of Julius Ccesar. 
London, 1909. (A very convenient and thorough edi- 
tion of North for the student's purposes.) 

M. W. MacCallum: Shakespeare's Roman Plays 
and their Background. London, 1910. (An elaborate 
and comprehensive work.) 

W. F. P. Stockley: Reading Julius Ccesar. Dublin, 
n. d. (By no means first-class in quality, but offering 
many helpful suggestions to the elementary-school 
teacher.) 

A. DeV. Tassin: Julius Ccesar, in Shaksperian 
Studies by Members of the Department of English 
. . . in Columbia University. New York, 1916. (A 
fine piece of appreciative criticism, though one may 
fail to concur in all its views.) 

H. H. Furness, Jr.: A New Variorum Edition of 
Shakespeare. Vol. XVII: Julius Ccesar. Philadel- 
phia, 1913. (For the faults of this volume, see the 
present writer's article in Journal of English and 
Germanic Philology, 1919.) 



INDEX OF WORDS GLOSSED 

(Figures in full-faced type refer to page-numbers) 



abide: 47 (III. i. 94) 
accoutred: 8 (I. ii. 105) 
action, nor utterance: 62 

(III. ii. 226) 
address'd: 44 (III. i. 29) 
affections: 23 (II. i. 20) 
after their fashion: 17 (I. 

iii. 34) 
aim: 10 (I. ii. 162) 
alchemy: 22 (I. iii. 159) 
alive: 78 (IV. iii. 195) 
all over: 27 (II. i. 112) 
along: 47 (III. i. 115) 
an: 13 (I. ii. 268) 
and no: 26 (II. i. 90) 
angel: 61 (III. ii. 186) 
annoy: 28 (II. i. 160) 
answer . . . made: 20 (I. iii. 

114) 
answer on their charge: 84 

(V. i. 24) 
answer'd (atoned for) : 57 

(III. ii. 86) 
answered (faced): 68 (IV. 

i. 47) 
answered (fulfilled) : 83 (V. 

i. 1) 
apace: 92 (V. iii. 87) 
apparent: 30 (II. i. 198) 
appoint: 67 (IV. i. 30) 
apprehensive: 45 (III. i. 67) 
apt (impressionable) : 91 (V. 

iii. 68) 
apt (ready): 49 (III. i. 160) 
are to: 36 (II. ii. 29) 
art (theory): 78 (IV. iii. 

193) 
arts (works of art) : 67 (IV. 

i. 37) 



as (as if): 87 (V. i. 87) 
as (expletive) : 86 (V. i. 72) 
as (such as) : 10 (I. ii. 173) 
as (where): 26 (II. i. 106) 
as his kind: 23 (II. i. 33) 
at once: 96 (V. v. 39) 
at the stake: 68 (IV. i. 48) 
Ate: 53 (III. i. 271) 

barren-spirited: 67 (IV. i. 

36) 
battles: 83 (V. i. 4) 
bay (bark at): 71 (IV. iii. 

27) 
bay'd (brought to bay): 50 

(III. i. 204) 
be not deceiv'd: 6 (I. ii. 37) 
be out: 2 (I. i. 18) 
be patient till the last: 55 

(III. ii. 12) 
bear ... a hand: 5 (I. ii. 35) 
bear his comment: 71 (IV. 

iii. 8) 
bear me a bang: 65 (III. iii. 

20) 
bear me hard: 15 (I. ii. 318) 
begin his fashion: 67 (IV. 

i. 39) 
beholding: 57 (III. ii. 71) 
bend: 8 (I. ii. 123) 
bending . . . expedition: 77 

(IV. iii. 169) 
bestow thy time with: 97 

(V. v. 61) 
betimes: 27 (II. i. 116) 
bills: 88 (V. ii. 1) 
bird of night: 17 (I. iii. 26) 
blood ill-temper'd: 75 (IV. 

iii. 114) 



122 



The Tragedy of 



bloody sign of battle: 84 (V. 

i. 14) 
bold: 26 (II. i. 86) 
bootless: 46 (III. i. 75) 
bosoms: 83 (V. i. 7) 
bound in: 79 (IV. iii. 220) 
brav'd: 74 (IV. iii. 95) 
break with: 28 (II. i. 150) 
brook'd: 10 (I. ii. 158) 
brought: 16 (I. iii. 1) 
Brutus (Lucius Junius) : 10 

(I. ii. 158) 
Brutus' . . . history: 96 (V. 

v. 39, 40) 
budge: 72 (IV. iii. 44) 
but I will do so: 84 (V. i. 

20) 
by Caesar: 49 (III. i. 162) 
by him: 30 (II. i. 218) 
by this: 20 (I. iii. 125) 
by . . . whereof: 6 (I. ii. 49) 
by your leave, gods: 92 (V. 

iii. 89) 
by your pardon: 52 (III. i. 

235) 

Caesar doth not wrong: 45 

(III. i. 47) 
calculate: 18 (I. iii. 65) 
call in question: 77 (IV. iii. 

164) 
Capitol: 43 (III. i. S. d.) 
carrion men (rotting 

corpses): 53 (III. i. 275) 
carrions (wretches): 27 (II. 

i. 130) 
cast ... in: 18 (I. iii. 60) 
Cato: 33 (II. i. 295); 87 (V. 

i. 102) 
cautelous: 27 (II. i. 129) 
ceremonies: 3 (I. i. 69) 
change: 91 (V. iii. 51) 
charactery: 34 (II. i. 308) 
charm: 32 (II. i. 271) 
check'd: 74 (IV. iii. 96) 
chew: 10 (I. ii. 170) 
chopped: 13 (I. ii. 245) 



clean from the purpose: 17 

(I. iii. 35) 
climate: 17 (I. iii. 32) 
close: 50 (III. i. 202) 
closet: 23 (II. i. 35) 
cobbler: 1 (I. i. 11) 
cognizance: 38 (II. ii. 89) 
cold demeanour: 88 (V. ii. 

4) 
Colossus: 9 (I. ii. 135) 
colour: 23 (II. i. 29) 
combin'd: 67 (IV. i. 43) 
common pulpits: 46 (III. i. 

80) 
commons (plebeians): 59 

(III. ii. 136) 
commons (pasture) : 67 (IV. 

i. 27) 
companion: 76 (IV. iii. 137) 
complexion . . . element: 20 

(I. iii. 128) 
conceited: 22 (I. iii. 162) 
condemn'd to have: 71 (IV. 

iii. 10) 
conference: 11 (I. ii. 187) 
confidence: 37 (II. ii. 49) 
confines: 53 (III. i. 272) 
consorted: 87 (V. i. 83) 
constant: 44 (III. i. 22) 
construe (explain): 34 (II. 

i. 307) 
construe (read meaning in- 
to): 6 (I. ii. 45) 
coronets: 12 (I. ii. 238) 
corse: 50 (III. i. 199) 
couchings: 44 (III. i. 36) 
countenance: 22 (I. iii. 159) 
courtesies: 44 (III. i. 36) 
covert: 68 (IV. i. 46) 
coward: 89 (V. iii. 4) 
coward lips . . . colour: 8 

(I. ii. 122) 
crown him that: 23 (II. i. 

15) 
cull out: 3 (I. i. 53) 
curtsies: 45 (III. i. 43) 



Julius Ccesar 



123 



custom of fell deeds: 53 

(III. i. 269) 
cut . . . charge: 66 (IV. i. 

9) 
cynic: 75 (IV. iii. 132) 

dearer: 74 (IV. iii. 101) 
degrees: 23 (II. i. 26) 
dint: 61 (III. ii. 199) 
directly: 1 (I. i. 12) 
disclos'd: 68 (IV. i. 46) 
discomfort: 93 (V. iii. 106) 
dishonour . . . humour: 74 

(IV. iii. 108) 
disposing . . . dignities: 50 

(III. i. 178) 
do observe: 5 (I. ii. 32) 
dogs of war: 53 (III. i. 273) 
doublet: 13 (I. ii. 267) 
drachmas: 63 (III. ii. 247) 
drawing days out: 47 (III. 

i. 100) 
drawn upon a heap: 16 (I. 

iii. 22, 23) 

elements: 98 (V. v. 73) 
empty: 67 (IV. i. 26) 
emulation: 40 (II. iii. 14) 
end: 36 (II. ii. 27) 
enforced: 56 (III. ii. 43) 
engagements: 34 (II. i. 307) 
enlarge: 70 (IV. ii. 46) 
enrolled: 55 (III. ii. 41) 
entertain: 97 (V. v. 60) 
envy: 28 (II. i. 164) 
Erebus: 25 (II. i. 84) 
eruptions: 19 (I. iii. 78) 
even (equally divided) : 84 

(V. i. 17) 
even (just): 27 (II. i. 133) 
even with (quick as): 89 

(V. iii. 19) 
exhalations: 24 (II. i. 44) 
exigent: 84 (V. i. 19) 
exorcist: 34 (II. i. 323) 
extenuated: 56 (III. ii. 42) 



face: 84 (V. i. 10) 
face of men: 27 (II. i. 114) 
faction: 25 (II. i. 77) 
factious: 20 (I. iii. 118) 
fall: 69 (IV. ii. 26) 
falling-sickness: 13 (I. ii. 

255} 
fam'd with: 9 (I. ii. 152) 
familiar instances: 69 (IV. 

ii. 16) 
fashion (mould): 30 (II. i. 

220) 
fashion (phrase): 23 (II. i. 

30) 
fatal: 87 (V. i. 88) 
favour: 7 (I. ii. 91) 
fear: 29 (II. i. 190) 
fearful: 19 (I. iii. 78) 
fearful bravery: 84 {V. i. 

10) 
fell distract: 76 (IV. iii. 

154) 
feUow: 93 (V. iii. 101) 
ferret: 11 (I. ii. 185) 
field: 98 (V. v. 80) 
figures: 31 (II. i. 231) 
flatterers: 85 (V. i. 44) 
fleering: 20 (I. iii. 117) 
flourish: 7 (I. ii. 78, S. d.) 
fond: 44 (III. i. 39) 
for (now for) : 65 (III. iii. 

26) 
forc'd affection: 79 (IV. iii. 

204) 
force: 78 (IV. iii. 202) 
formal constancy: 31 (II. i. 

227) 
former ensign: 87 (V. i. 80) 
forms: 63 (III. ii. 264) 
fourteen: 24 (II. i. 59) 
freedom of repeal: 45 (III. 

i. 54) 
freeman: 90 (V. iii. 41) 
fret: 26 (II. i. 104) 
from . . . kind: 18 (I. iii. 64) 
from the main: 30 (II. i. 

196) 



124 



The Tragedy of 



full of . . . honour: 68 (IV. 
ii. 12) 

gamesome: 5 (I. ii. 28) 
general: 22 (II. i. 12) 
general coffers: 57 (III. ii. 

95) 
genius: 24 (II. i. 66) 
gentle: 98 (V. v. 73) 
gently: 69 (IV. ii. 31) 
get the start of: 9 (I. ii. 

130) 
give . . . accidental: 76 (IV. 

iii. 145) 
give the word: 68 (IV. ii. 2) 
glasses: 30 (II. i. 205) 
go to: 71 (IV. iii. 32) 
good cheer: 46 (III. i. 89) 
good regard: 51 (III. i. 224) 
great flood: 9 (I. ii. 151) 
grief: 76 (IV. iii. 152) 
griefs (grievances) : 20 (I. 

iii. 118) 
growing on: 26 (II. i. 107) 
guilty . . . bastardy: 27 (II. 

i. 138) 

had his eyes: 6 (I. ii. 62) 

hart: 50 (III. i. 204) 

have . . . health: 72 (IV. iii. 

36) 
havoc: 53 (III. i. 273) 
he hears no music: 11 (I. ii. 

203) 
he should not humour me: 

15 (I. ii. 320) 
hearts of controversy: 8 (I. 

ii. 109) 
held Epicurus strong: 86 

(V. i. 77) 
her: 3 (I. i. 49) 
hie: 21 (I. iii. 150) 
high-sighted: 27 (II. i. 118) 
hinds: 20 (I. iii. 106) 
his: 8 (I. ii. 124) 
hold, my hand: 20 (I. iii. 

117) 



hold thee (wait) : 92 (V. iii. 

85) 
holds on: 46 (III. i. 69) 
holes: 30 (II. i. 205) 
hollow: 69 (IV. ii. 23) 
honours this corruption: 71 

(IV. iii. 15) 
hot at hand: 69 (IV. ii. 23) 
how ill . . . burns: 82 (IV. 

iii. 274) 
however: 15 (I. ii. 304) 
humour (disposition) : 30 

(II. i. 210) 
humour (whim) : 37 (II. ii. 

56) 
hurtled: 36 (II. ii. 22) 
Hybla: 85 (V. i. 34) 

ides of March: 5 (I. ii. 18) 
imitations: 67 (IV. i. 37) 
impatient of: 76 (IV. iii. 

151) 
improve: 28 (II. i. 159) 
in a general honest thought, 

etc.: 97 (V. v. 71, 72) 
in his own change: 68 (IV. 

ii. 7) 
in . . . limitation: 33 (II. i. 



in our black . . . proscrip- 
tion: 66 (IV. i. 17) 
in respect of : 1 (I. i. 10) 
in . . . speed: 4 (I. ii. 6) 
in your bad strokes: 84 (V. 

i. 30) 
incorporate: 21 (I. iii. 135) 
indifferently: 7 (I. ii. 87) 
indirection: 73 (IV. iii. 75) 
ingrafted: 29 (II. i. 184) 
insuppressive: 27 (II. i. 134) 
is run his compass: 90 (V. 

iii. 25) 
is to: 29 (II. i. 187) 
issue: 54 (III. i. 294) 
it shall have scope: 74 (IV. 
iii. 107) 



Julius Ccesar 



125 



jades: 69 (IV. ii. 26) 
jealous (doubtful): 10 (I. 

ii. 161) 
jealous on (suspicious of): 

7 (I. ii. 71) 
jigging: 76 (IV. iii. 136) 
just: 6 (I. ii. 54) 

kerchief: 34 (II. i. 315) 
knave: 80 (IV. iii. 240) 
knot: 47 (III. i. 117) 
know his humour: 76 (IV. 
iii. 135) 

labour'd . . . hour: 96 (V. 

v. 42) 
law of children: 44 (III. i. 

39) 
leaden: 81 (IV. iii. 267) 
learn'd . . . rote: 74 (IV. iii. 

97) 
let blood: 49 (III. i. 152) 
let slip: 53 (III. i. 273) 
lethe: 51 (III. i. 206) 
liable: 39 (II. ii. 104) 
light: 90 (V. iii. 31) 
like (likely) : 13 (I. ii. 255) 
'like' is not 'the same': 40 

(II. ii. 128) 
listen: 67 (IV. i. 41) 
live (if I live): 49 (III. i. 

159) 
lodge to-night: 76 (IV. iii. 

139) 
lost . . . bloods: 9 (I. ii. 150) 
lottery: 27 (II. i. 119) 
lover: 40 (II. iii. 9) 
low-crooked: 45 (III. i. 43) 
Lupercal: 3 (I. i. 71) 

mace: 81 (IV. iii. 267) 

made: 67 (IV. i. 44) 

make conditions: 71 (IV. iii. 

32) 
make forth: 84 (V. i. 25) 
make head: 67 (IV. i. 42) 
malice: 49 (III. i. 174) 



mark of favour: 25 (II. i. 

76) 
marry: 12 (I. ii. 228) 
mart: 71 (IV. iii. 11) 
Marullus: 1 (I. i. S. d.) 
me (expletive): 13 (I. ii. 

267) 
mean: 49 (III. i. 161) 
mechanical: 1 (I. i. 3) 
meet: 10 (I. ii. 169) 
melancholy's child: 91 (V. 

iii. 67) 
merely: 6 (I. ii. 39) 
mine own: 89 (V. iii. 2) 
mistrust . . . success: 91 (V. 

iii. 65) 
mock: 38 (II. ii. 96) 
modesty: 51 (III. i. 213) 
moe: 25 (II. i. 72) 
monstrous state: 18 (I. iii. 

71) 
more (else): 16 (I. iii. 14) 
mortal instruments: 24 (II. 

i. 66) 
mortified: 34 (II. i. 324) 
most like: 98 (V. v. 79) 
motion: 24 (II. i. 64) 
mov'd: 10 (I. ii. 166) 
much: 81 (IV. iii. 254) 
murderous: 81 (IV. iii. 266) 
my name: 11 (I. ii. 198) 

napkins: 59 (III. ii. 139) 
native: 25 (II. i. 83) 
naughty: 1 (I. i. 16) 
neat's leather: 2 (I. i. 28) 
new-added: 79 (IV. iii. 208) 
nice: 71 (IV. iii. 8) 
niggard . . . rest: 79 (IV. 

iii. 227) 
night-gown: 35 (II. ii. S. d.) 
noble vessel: 95 (V. v. 13) 
none so poor: 59 (III. ii. 

126) 
noted: 70 (IV. iii. 2) 



126 



The Tragedy of 



nothing (not at all): 10 (I. 

ii. 161) 
nothing, Messala: 78 (IV. 

iii. 183) 

objects: 67 (IV. i. 37) 
observe: 72 (IV. iii. 45) 
occupation: 14 (I. ii. 269) 
o'er-watch'd: 80 (IV. iii. 

240) 
of (in): 28 (II. i. 157) 
of . . . difference: 6 (I. ii. 

40) 
old Cassius still: 86 (V. i. 

63) 
omitted: 79 (IV. iii. 219) 
on (being on): 25 (II. i. 83) 
on the Lupercal: 58 (III. 

ii. 101) 
once: 78 (IV. iii. 190) 
only (alone): 97 (V. v. 56) 
only I yield to die: 94 (V. 

iv. 12) 
ope: 13 (I. ii. 267) 
or . . . or: 27 (II. i. 135) 
orchard: 22 (II. i. S. d.) 
order: 51 (III. i. 230) 
order of the course: 5 (I. 

ii. 25) 
order'd: 98 (V. v. 79) 
ordinance: 18 (I. iii. 66) 
ordinary: 7 (I. ii. 73) 
our deeds are done: 91 (V. 

iii. 64) 
out (of temper) : 2 (I. i. 17) 
out of the teeth: 40 (II. iii. 

14) 

painted: 45 (III. i. 63) 
palter: 27 (II. i. 126) 
parley: 84 (V. i. 21) 
part: 98 (V. v. 81) 
part the numbers: 54 (III. 

ii. 4) 
Parthia: 90 (V. iii. 37) 
passion: 53 (III. i. 283) 
path: 25 (II. i. 83) 



peevish: 86 (V. i. 61) 
phantasma: 24 (II. i. 65) 
physical: 32 (II. i. 261) 
pit: 96 (V. v. 23) 
pitch: 4 (I. i. 77) 
pleasures: 63 (III. ii. 255) 
Pluto's: 74 (IV. iii. 101) 
point upon: 17 (I. iii. 32) 
Pompey's basis: 47 (III. i. 

115) 
Pompey's blood: 3 (I. i. 55) 
Pompey's porch: 20 (I. iii. 

126) 
poor remains of: 95 (V. v. 

1) 
posture: 85 (V. i. 33) 
powers: 67 (IV. i. 42) 
practice: 71 (IV. iii. 31) 
praetor's chair: 21 (I. iii. 

143) 
pray to move: 45 (III. i. 

59) 
praying on his side: 70 (IV. 

iii. 4) 
prefer (offer): 44 (III. i. 

28) 
prefer (recommend) : 97 (V. 

v. 62) 
pre-ordinance : 44 (III. i. 

38) 
present: 35 (II. ii. 5) 
press: 38 (II. ii. 88) 
prevent: 23 (II. i. 28) 
prevention: 25 (II. i. 85) 
prick'd in number: 51 (III. 

i. 216) 
proceeding: 39 (II. ii. 103) 
produce: 51 (III. i. 228) 
profess myself: 7 (I. ii. 77) 
promised forth: 14 (I. ii. 

294) 
proof: 23 (II. i. 21) 
proper (belonging): 6 (I. ii. 

41) 
proper (individual) : 93 (V. 

iii. 96) 



Julius Ccesar 



127 



proper (worthy) : 2 (I. i. 

27) 
property: 67 (IV. i. 40) 
protest: 52 (III. i. 238) 
protester: 7 (I. ii. 74) 
put on: 18 (I. iii. 60) 
put to silence: 14 (I. ii. 291) 

quarrel: 23 (II. i. 28) 
quarter'd: 53 (III. i. 268) 
question of: 55 (III. ii. 41) 
quick: 5 (I. ii. 29) 
quick mettle: 15 (I. ii. 301) 

raise: 81 (IV. iii. 246) 
rank (over-ripe) : 49 (III. 

i. 152) 
rank (position): 46 (III. i. 

69) 
rascal counters: 73 (IV. iii. 

80) 
rated: 30 (II. i. 216) 
reason with: 87 (V. i. 97) 
rebel: 45 (III. i. 40) 
relics: 38 (II. ii. 89) 
remorse: 23 (II. i. 19) 
repealing: 45 (III. i. 51) 
replication: 3 (I. i. 50) 
resolved: 48 (III. i. 131) 
respect (heed): 73 (IV. iii. 

69) 
respect (worth): 6 (I. ii. 

59) 
resting: 45 (III. i. 61) 
rheumy: 32 (II. i. 266) 
right form: 36 (II. ii. 20) 
right on: 62 (III. ii. 227) 
riv'd: 73 (IV. iii. 84) 
robbers: 71 (IV. iii. 23) 
Rome: 10 (I. ii. 155) 
rude: 55 (III. ii. 33) 
ruffle: 62 (III. ii. 232) 

sad: 12 (I. ii. 216) 
saving of: 90 (V. iii. 38) 
scandal: 7 (I. ii. 76) 
schedule: 43 (III. i. 3) 
search: 90 (V. iii. 42) 



security gives way: 40 (II. 

iii. 8) 
sennet: 5 (I. ii. 24, S. d.) 
sensible of: 16 (I. iii. 18) 
serv'd: 43 (III. i. 8) 
set on: 4 (I. ii. 11) 
several hands: 15 (I. ii. 321) 
shape . . . condition: 32 (II. 

i. 253, 254) 
show'd . . . apes: 85 (V. i. 

41) 
shrewd contriver: 28 (II. i. 

158) 
sick offence: 32 (II. i. 268) 
sickly prey: 87 (V. i. 87) 
side: 88 (V. ii. 2) 
sign . . . profession: 1 (Li. 
4, 5) 
sign'd . . . spoil: 51 (III. i. 

206) 
sink in the trial: 69 (IV. ii. 

27) 
sky: 17 (I. iii. 39) 
sleek-headed: 11 (I. ii. 192) 
slighted off: 70 (IV. iii. 5) 
smatch: 96 (V. v. 46) 
so (if): 10 (I. ii. 165) 
so please him: 48 (III. i. 

140) 
sober form: 70 (IV. ii. 40) 
soft: 13 (I. ii. 252) 
softly: 70 (IV. ii. 42) 
soil: 6 (I. ii. 42) 
sooth: 41 (II. iv. 20) 
space . . . honours . . . trash: 

71 (IV. iii. 25, 26) 
spaniel: 45 (III. i. 43) 
speed: 7 (I. ii. 88) 
spurn at: 22 (II. i. 11) 
stains: 38 (II. ii. 89) 
stal'd: 67 (IV. i. 38) 
stale: 7 (I. ii. 73) 
stand (halt): 68 (IV. ii. 1) 
stand close: 20 (I. iii. 131) 
stand upon: 47 (III. i. 100) 
stare: 82 (IV. iii. 279) 
state: 10 (I. ii. 159) 



128 



The Tragedy of 



Statilius . . . torch-light: 95 

(V. v. 2) 
stay (await) : 88 (V. i. 107) 
stays (keeps): 38 (II. ii. 

75) 
sterile curse: 4 (I. ii. 9) 
still: 13 (I. ii. 244) 
still ... to the purpose: 48 

(III. i. 145, 146) 
stomachs: 86 (V. i. 66) 
stood on ceremonies: 35 (II. 

ii. 13) 
strain (of music): 81 (IV. 

iii. 256) 
strain (race) : 86 (V. i. 59) 
strange-disposed: 17 (I. iii. 

33) 
stretch'd out: 67 (IV. i. 44) 
success: 35 (II. ii. 6) 
such honour: 86 (V. i. 61) 
sufferance (distress) : 27 

(II. i. 115) 
suffering (patient): 27 (II. 

i. 130) 
sway: 16 (I. iii. 3) 
swore thee: 90 (V. iii. 38) 
swounded: 13 (I. ii. 249) 

tag-rag: 13 (I. ii. 259) 
take note of: 91 (V. iii. 50) 
take thought: 29 (II. i. 187) 
tardy form: 15 (I. ii. 304) 
taste: 67 (IV. i. 34) 
temper: 9 (I. ii. 129) 
than secret: 27 (II. i. 125) 
Thasos: 93 (V. iii. 104) 
that (as): 20 (I. iii. 117) 
that (so that): 53 (III. i. 

274) 
that (the same): 5 (I. ii. 

33) 
that (to which): 15 (I. ii. 

315) 
that day: 60 (III. ii. 178) 
that were much he should: 

29 (II. i. 188) 
the cause: 85 (V. i. 48) 



the gods: 87 (V. i. 94) 

the horse in general: 69 

(IV. ii. 29) 
the time's abuse: 27 (II. i. 

115) 
the which: 54 (III. i. 295) 
the world: 15 (I. ii. 312) 
there is so much: 94 (V. iv. 

13) 
these and these: 23 (II. i. 

31) 
thick: 90 (V. iii. 21) 
this side Tiber: 63 (III. ii. 

254) 
thorough: 48 (III. i. 136) 
three-and-thirty: 85 (V. i. 

53) 
three-fold world divided: 66 

(IV. i. 14) 
three o'clock . . . second 

fight: 93 (V. iii. 109, 110) 
thunder-stone: 18 (I. iii. 49) 
thy full petition: 24 (II. i. 

58) 
tide of times: 52 (III. i. 

257) 
tinctures: 38 (II. ii. 89) 
to whom: 34 (II. i. 331) 
toils: 30 (II. i. 206) 
touch thy instrument: 81 

(IV. iii. 256) 
trees: 30 (II. i. 204) 
tried the utmost: 79 (IV. iii. 

213) 
triumph: 2 (I. i. 35) 
true: 13 (I. ii. 262) 

unbraced: 18 (I. iii. 48) 
undergo: 20 (I. iii. 123) 
unluckily . . . fantasy: 64 

(III. iii. 2) 
unmeritable: 66 (IV. i. 12) 
unpurged: 32 (II. i. 266) 
untrod: 48 (III. i. 136) 
upon (of): 76 (IV. iii. 151) 
upon (towards) : 82 (IV. iii. 

277) 



Julius Ccesar 



129 



upon a wish: 64 (III. ii. 

271) 
use (n.): 36 (II. ii. 25) 
use (vb.): 98 (V. v. 76) 
uttermost: 30 (II. i. 213) 

ventures: 79 (IV. iii. 223) 
void: 42 (II. iv. 37) 
vouchsafe: 34 (II. i. 313) 

walk (vb.): 1 (I. i. 3) 
walks (n.): 10 (I. ii. 154) 
warn: 83 (V. i. 5) 
watch: 81 (IV. iii. 248) 
weighing: 26 (II. i. 108) 
well given: 11 (I. ii. 196) 
well to friend: 48 (III. i. 

143) 
what (why): 27 (II. i. 123) 
what bastard doth not: 93 

(V. iv. 2) 
what night: 17 (I. iii. 42) 
what villain . . . justice: 71 

(IV. iii. 20, 21) 
when: 22 (II. i. 5) 
whiles: 11 (I. ii. 208) 
who's: 34 (II. i. 309) 



why: 18 (I. iii. 63) 
wind: 67 (IV. i. 32) 
with (against): 8 (I. ii. 101) 
with (by) : 45 (III. i. 42) 
with a spot I damn him: 66 

(IV. i. 6) 
with awl: 2 (I. i. 25) 
with your will: 79 (IV. iii. 

223) 
withal: 33 (II. i. 292) 
within the tent of Brutus: 

70 (IV. iii. S. d.) 
wives: 47 (III. i. 97) 
woe the while: 19 (I. iii. 82) 
word . . . world: 59 (III. ii. 

124, 125) 
work: 10 (I. ii. 162) 
worse days endure: 15 (I. 

ii. 327) 

yearns: 40 (II. ii. 129) 
yoke and sufferance: 19 (I. 

iii. 84) 
you were best: 64 (III. iii. 

13) 
your brother Cassius: 25 (II. 

i. 70) 



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